A retired businessman from Paddington has been convicted of using his dead mother's disabled parking badge on his Mercedes sports car - three years after she died.

Raymond Maurice Laren, 69, of Harley House, was convicted at West London Magistrates Court on Friday of fraudulently using the badge on his Mercedes sports car.

He was caught using the document, issued by Harrow Council, by Kensington and Chelsea Council's fraud team who received a tip-off from the police.

Investigators found the disc expired in 2006, but the date had been changed to 2008. Mr Laren's mother died in January 2005.

A defence barrister argued that Mr Laren's early guilty plea, stigma of conviction and the stress of being caught should excuse Mr Laren from a custodial sentence.

He was fined £750 and ordered to pay costs of £1,532.14.

Royal Borough cabinet member for adult social care, cllr Fiona Buxton, said: "The work our fraud team have done on this case is a reminder to all those who attempt to defraud those in greater need.

"I hope this sends out the message to those thinking of committing fraud with a disabled blue badge that they will be caught."

If people believe they have seen a forged disabled badge or someone misusing a badge they can contact the confidential hotline on 020 7361 4202.