Parents made to pay out £690 after refusing to accept term-time holiday fine

Parents who took their four children on a term-time holiday because it was quieter for their autistic son have been ordered to pay £690 by a court.

Tammy and Daniel Lambert had complained after being fined £480 - £60 per parent per child - following the trip to Benalmadena in Spain in April 2024. The couple, from Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, refused to pay the fine and instead took their case to North Staffordshire Justice Centre and now they have now been told to pay out even more. The court heard son Riley had been waiting for an autism assessment at the time of the holiday. He has since been diagnosed with the condition after two years on a waiting list.

Mum Tammy Lambert told the court: "We had to time meals and go later when it was quieter. We were around the pool in a quieter area and when it was quieter.

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"We had disability assistance on the plane and getting through the airport. I sent in photographs of Riley walking through the airport wearing his dressing gown, and with his ear defenders and weighted blanket.

"One of the reasons for going then was we were going with a family that understands the struggles we have. We went with our friend and she has an autistic son.

"He was on the waiting list for two years and has had a diagnosis of autism by a specialist - he was diagnosed about six weeks ago. They're also requesting he has an ADHD assessment as well.

"We put our hands up, we did do it the wrong way. The children have good attendance - Riley's is 97 per cent at the moment and the only time they are off is due to illness."

The Lamberts admitted that their four children failed to attend school between April 25 and May 3, 2024.

They were fined a total of £407 and also ordered to pay a combined £163 victim surcharge and £120 costs.

The court granted a request for the Lamberts and Riley to be named, reported StokeonTrentLive. A magistrate told the Lamberts: "It's important that children attend school, not only for their education but for their social skills.

"If they are not in school they are being deprived of essential skills, not withstanding the difficulties a disabled child will have.

"While we have every sympathy and acknowledge the difficulties, from what you have told us, the difficulties of having a disabled child, the law is very clear.

"Parents cannot take a child out of school without the prior authority of the child's headmaster.

"You were issued with a fixed-penalty notice. You decided not to pay - that's why you are here."