A man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after forging documents while applying for disabled parking and public transport concessions.

Henry Ifganyichukum Igwe applied for disabled freedom passes and disabled blue badges in four different London boroughs – Waltham Forest, Brent, Enfield and Haringey.

A freedom pass allows for free travel on public transport and a blue badge provides concessions to parking and access to disabled spots.

An investigation, led by Brent Council’s fraud team, discovered Igwe used fake birth certificates, utility bills and medical certificates to falsely present himself and others as disabled.

The 27-year-old was found guilty of 12 offences - nine in Brent, Enfield and Haringey. He pled guilty to a further three charges of forgery for documents sent to Waltham Forest Council.

Cllr Margaret McLennan, deputy leader of Brent Council said: “Abuse of the disabled person’s freedom passes and blue badge schemes will not be tolerated. These schemes are to help those who genuinely need support and we will not allow scammers to fraudulently benefit from them.

“This first ever joint prosecution spanning four London Boroughs, shows that dedicated fraud teams working together and sharing resources, can bring fraudsters to justice, whilst minimising costs to local residents and cash-strapped councils.”

For the Brent, Enfield and Haringey offences Igwe was sentenced to 18 months’ suspended imprisonment per offence; all nine offences will be served concurrently.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ suspended imprisonment for each of the three Waltham Forest offences, also to be served concurrently.

Igwe has been ordered complete 20 hours of a rehabilitation activity requirement order.