PARENTS have received a total of almost £3,000 in fines and other charges for taking their children out of school during term-time.
Five cases held at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court last Thursday led to a series of prosecutions for failing to ensure children regularly attended school.
All the parents - who cannot be named for legal reasons - still took the holidays despite not being authorised by the schools, and all failed to pay both the initial penalty of £60 per child and a second fine of £120 per child.
Two defendants who each took two children out school received separate £813 fines - which comprised £330 per child, costs of £120 and victim surcharge of £33 - and did not attend their hearings.
One person who also did not attend court when summoned received a £604 total fine, comprising a £440 fine, costs of £120 and victim surcharge of £44.
A fourth defendant pleaded guilty to failing to ensure their child regularly attended school and received a £410 total fine, made up of £260 fine, £120 costs and victim surcharge of £30.
The final defendant also pleaded guilty and was told to pay £350 made up of £200 fine, £120 costs and victim surcharge of £30.
