COUPLE FINED £2,000 FOR TAKING KIDS ON TERM-TIME HOLIDAY
A couple from Clowne, Derbyshire, have no regrets about taking their children on holiday during term-time, despite being hit with a £2,000 fine. Rebekah Richardson, 38, and Dale Wood, 46, were shocked to discover a £5,000 price difference between holidays to Florida in September and October half term. Opting for the cheaper September option, they saved money but ended up facing penalties from Derbyshire County Council. Rebekah was ordered to pay £924, while Dale received a fine of £1,044. Failure to pay within 28 days could result in prosecution.
Rebekah expressed her frustration at being treated like criminals for wanting to spend quality time with their young children. She believes that parents are being penalized for everything nowadays. Despite the financial consequences, she has no regrets about the decision to go on the dream holiday as a family. The couple’s two sons, Jacob, eight, and Oliver, seven, were thrilled to meet their heroes during the trip.
The fine has left the family struggling financially, to the point where they have had to cancel Christmas. Rebekah likened the situation to Russian roulette, where some parents get fined while others do not. She believes it is unfair and argues that either every parent should be fined or none at all. She also believes that criminal records should not be handed out in these cases. The holiday was originally planned as a much-needed break for Dale, who was dealing with mental health issues after the loss of his brother.
Due to their current financial circumstances, the couple is disputing the fine amount. They are behind on all their bills and have set up a monthly direct debit of £170 to gradually pay off the fine. The breakdown of their trip to Florida shows that they spent a total of £10,400, including flights, accommodation, and tickets to Orlando Studios and Disneyland. Even with the fines, they managed to save £3,200.
Despite the financial strain and legal consequences, Rebekah and Dale stand by their decision to prioritize family time. They believe that the memories made during the holiday are priceless and cannot be regretted.
Rebekah, a mother from Derbyshire, has revealed that her family’s Christmas plans have been cancelled due to financial difficulties. Despite having a magical holiday, Rebekah explained that they are now facing stress and worry about their future.
During their vacation, the family had the opportunity to swim with dolphins and even interact with an alligator. The children were particularly excited to meet their favorite Marvel characters, as well as Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
However, Rebekah expressed her frustration at being treated like a criminal for taking her children out of school. She argued that her children are not in their final year of education and therefore not preparing for important exams like GCSEs. Rebekah also highlighted the unfairness of teachers being allowed to go on strike, which forced her to take unpaid time off work as a self-employed individual.
In response to the situation, a spokesperson from Derbyshire County Council explained that the penalty notice charging is in accordance with government guidelines and the law. The initial fine for each parent is £120, but if paid within 21 days, it reduces to £60. Unfortunately, Rebekah and her partner did not pay the notice, resulting in the case being referred to the Magistrates Court. The court found the parents guilty of failing to ensure their child’s regular attendance at school and imposed the fines.
Rebekah’s story sheds light on the struggles faced by parents who choose to take their children on holiday during term time. It raises questions about the fairness of the penalties imposed and the impact they have on families already facing financial difficulties.
