Joshua Nair
A mother has been left fearful over the security of her career after being given a penalty fine for taking her daughter out of school during term time for a holiday.
Natalie Saunders travelled to Bodrum, Turkey, on holiday with her eight-year-old daughter for a week-long getaway in May of this year.
However, now knowing the repercussions of taking her child out of school for this long during the school term, she probably won't do it again.
Despite the mother-of-one admitting that she knew that the trip would result in an unauthorised absence, and therefore a £60 fine, she had no idea that it would escalate to something much worse.
Advert
The 44-year-old returned from the £900 sun-soaked trip and said that she never received a penalty fine notice in the post, and reckoned she was in the clear.
Saunders, who works in risk and compliance, never followed up on the charge and claimed that she heard she wasn't 'guaranteed' to get one.
But a letter from West Sussex County Council this August proved her wrong, as it detailed that she hadn't paid the fine and now had a court date.
The Brit has been given a single justice procedure notice, saying she is being charged under Section 444 (1) of the Education Act 1996, meaning she could face a criminal conviction and a £1,000 fine.
Advert
The Act says that if a child of compulsory school age that is a registered pupil at a school does not attend regularly, their parent is guilty of an offence, unless they prove there was a 'reasonable justification' for their absence.
After being given the investigation letter, she has been in contact with West Sussex County Council, though they are intent on continuing with legal proceedings.
The mother is shocked as she pointed out that it's up to her to 'prove she hasn't received the letter', instead of the council needing to prove that they sent it.
Even after claiming to pay the fine late, the sums were refunded, as she has been given until 26 November to plead guilty or not.
Advert
Saunders, from Crawley, admitted that she 'was happy to pay the £60 fine', as 'it was a lot cheaper' to travel during the school year.
Highlighting her child's good attendance and claiming that 'the fine wasn't guaranteed', she assumed she was in the clear.
"The first letter that I received, which would have been the second letter they sent (West Sussex County Council), was dated July 18th but I didn't receive it until August 24th," she revealed.
Saunders explained: "The idea of getting a criminal record is devastating. I'm a good person. If I wasn't, I would have just taken my daughter off 'ill' for those six days. Even if the truth is bad, it is better than lying.
"It's a criminal record. I don't want this against my name. I've got a good job and work in risk and compliance and I am studying for a diploma to further my career and this could stop me in my tracks. It could ruin this."
Advert
Saunders also highlighted that there was 'poor' postal service in her area, saying: "I haven't seen any proof from them (the council) that they have posted the letter.
"There are lots of mitigating circumstances that they are considering in this. West Sussex County Council are using the Royal Mail which is just not delivering.
"In Crawley my MP told me there is a shortage of staff at Royal Mail and Crawley is one of the top five worst performing towns in the UK."
Now, Saunders says she 'would never' take her child out during school again, revealing that she is 'better off pleading guilty' as she took her daughter out herself, which would also mean that there would be no court hearing.
Advert
West Sussex County Council said that headteachers are directed by the DfE to take a strong stance on unauthorised holidays during term time.
A spokesperson continued: "We follow the DfE National Guidelines on the use and issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices in such cases, ensuring a consistency of approach and practice. Unpaid fines are referred to the court process where parents are able to give their mitigation should they choose.
"In all cases the Fixed Penalty Notice and legal services teams follow the established legal process and the published code of conduct to ensure consistency and fairness to all cases."
Peter Lamb, Natalie's Crawley Labour MP, who she has been communicating with over the incident, said that the council not accepting her late fine is ultimately putting the child's well-being at risk.
"We can all appreciate the importance of avoiding unauthorised absences, but the county council's decision to prosecute Ms Saunders when she has indicated that she would pay a fine, putting at risk her employment, amounts to risking the future wellbeing of a child while wasting taxpayer money in the process," Lamb said.
Saunders also got in touch with Royal Mail after the letter wasn't delivered, as a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We take the delivery of mail very seriously and work to ensure all items are delivered on time. We have taken strides to improve our service in Crawley and nationally.
"If a customer is concerned about deliveries on their route, we encourage them to contact us directly so we can investigate.”