Footballer Ravel Morrison has been convicted of fraud after he was caught using a dead person’s blue badge to park, a local council said.
Morrison said in an interview under caution he bought the badge from “someone in Old Trafford” for £50, Manchester City Council said.
It added the 30-year-old from Westbrook, Warrington, was charged with one count of fraud, and admitted guilt at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Morrison was handed a £1,000 fine, and told to pay costs of £508 and a victim surcharge of £400.
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The council said on 22 May, enforcement officers looked at a white Audi S3 parked on Bridgewater Street, Manchester, which was displaying a blue badge, which are given to those who have disabilities or health conditions to allow them to park closer to their destination.
When the badge was checked, it was found to be no longer valid, having belonged to someone who died in February 2022.
The Audi was issued with a fine and taken to a vehicle pound. Morrison retrieved his care later that day.
A Manchester City Council spokesman said: “This ruling shows that the law is applicable to everyone, with no exceptions.
“I am grateful for the diligent work of our investigating officers as well as legal counsel who were able to successfully prosecute this case.
“Our officers patrol the streets daily to ensure that blue badges are used legitimately and we will not hesitate to take action if we discover people trying to circumvent the law.”
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Morrison has been approached for comment by the Press Association news agency.
He has played international football for Jamaica, while also playing for West Ham, Birmingham, and Sheffield United at club level.
He began his football career at Manchester United with Wayne Rooney, and later played under his former teammate when he managed Derby and the US club DC United.
