A mum is warning parents over school term holidays as she faces a career-wrecking criminal record - as 'law gone mad' asks her to prove the fine went 'missing in the post'. Natalie Saunders jetted off with her daughter Ava Martin-Saunders, eight, to Bodrum in Turkey on May 13th for a week in the sun. The 44-year knew ahead of going abroad that her child was missing six days of school and would be marked as an unauthorised absence, which could result in a £60 fine.
But after returning from their £900 trip, Natalie claims she never received a penalty fine notice in the post and presumed she had dodged it this time around. The 44-year knew ahead of going abroad that her child missing six days of school would be marked as an unauthorised absence, which could result in a £60 fine. But after returning from their £900 trip, Natalie claims she never received a penalty fine notice in the post and presumed she had dodged it this time around.
(Image: Kennedy News & Media) The mum-of-one, who works in risk and compliance, says she never chased up her daughter's charge with the school or local authority as she claims she had heard it was 'not guaranteed' to receive one. However Natalie says she was 'devastated' to receive a letter from West Sussex County Council on August 24th saying she had failed to pay her child's fine and could now be taken to court. She has now received a single justice procedure notice outlining she is being charged under Section 444 (1) of the Education Act 199.