We were fined thousands for taking kids out of school for holiday - we still saved £3.2k
A once-in-a-lifetime holiday has turned into a nightmare after their children's unauthorised absences have warranted steep fines, and possibly a criminal record.
A defiant couple hit with a hefty £2k fine for whisking their kids away on a dream holiday during school term have declared they saved a fortune and boast "no regrets" over the savvy move.
Rebekah Richardson, 38, and Dale Wood, 46, were determined to give their children - Jacob, eight, and Oliver, seven - an unforgettable experience at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, US.
Stunned by the staggering £5k price hike if they travelled during the October half term rather than September, the pair opted for the cheaper option, despite the risk of fines.
Now, they're feeling the pinch as Derbyshire County Council has slapped them with a fixed penalty notice, demanding £924 from Rebekah and £1,044 from Dale.
The parents are now on a payment plan after being warned they could face prosecution if they didn't cough up within 28 days for their kids' absence from school.
Clowne-based hairdresser Rebekah blasted: "We're being treated as criminals for taking our young kids on holiday. I feel as parents we're penalised for everything now."
But she stands firm in her decision, adding: "I have no regrets as a parent - I think you can't ever regret spending time together as a family."
Highlighting the inconsistency in fines, she added: "The fine situation it's like Russian roulette some get fined some don't which is unfair. Either every parent gets fined or none you can't pick and choose - I don't think we should get criminal records.
"The fine situation it's like Russian roulette some get fined some don't which is unfair. Either every parent gets fined or none you can't pick and choose - I don't think we should get criminal records."
Army veteran Dale, who has been suffering from PTSD after the sudden death of his brother Gavin, at 35 due to Covid vaccine complications, currently works for a water company.
In an attempt to seek some solace from mental health struggles, he took a holiday from September 12 to September 27, choosing his late brother's favourite spot as their destination.
Rebekah found their holiday to be "magical", though she fears that they may have to cancel Christmas celebrations back home due to financial constraints, leaving them "totally skint."
Rebekah added: "We went swimming with the dolphins the kids loved it, they even held an alligator. They loved meeting all the Marvel characters and meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse."
"It was so nice to get away but now we are very stressed and worried what will happen." The couple was left in shock receiving a court summons on May 30, ordaining Rebekah and Dale to pay £924 and £1,044 respectively.
To add to their woes, Dale, who draws his earnings from contracts, has been off work since January due to his mental health struggles and just resumed work three weeks ago.
Rebekah continued: "Dale wasn't working in November and doesn't earn a regular daily wage - we are now really skint." She said the fine made the couple have to really consider if they could afford Christmas.
Currently challenging the imposed amount, the pair say they are citing changes in their financial condition. "We are scared we will now have a criminal record and it will go against our credit rating," Rebekah said.
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Rebekah says she knows of other parents who have done the same who have not been fined and says "it's not fair" that it's one rule for some and a different rule for others.
The family are now behind on every bill and have had to set up a direct debit to pay £170-a-month to pay off the fine and say they're struggling.
"We're being treated as criminals for taking our kids on holiday, they're not year 11 and sitting GCSEs," Rebekah said.
"And it's alright for teachers to go on strike which made me have to unpaid time off as I am self-employed."
The trip cost out of term vs. during the holidays
Out of term time flights and accommodation in a package: £3,000
Family tickets for Orlando Studios: £1,200
Family tickets for Disneyland (for three days): £1,100
Total: £5,200.
During school holidays
Flights and accommodation in a package: £6,200
Family tickets for Orlando Studios: £2,100
Family tickets for Disneyland (for three days): £2,100.
Total spent: £10,400
Saving: £5,200
Savings after fines: £3,200.