Couple's £3k fine for stowaway migrant scrapped

Lisa Russell says they are "absolutely relieved" after Home Office confirmed the fine has been cancelled

A couple fined £3,000 for unknowingly driving two Sudanese migrants through Calais in a campervan have had the penalty rescinded.

Lisa Russell and her partner Geoff Evans from Kent were stopped by Border Force officers in France as they returned from a short family break last October.

Ms Russell, 44, said they had "no idea" when the man and teenager stowed themselves into the bike rack of their van, but believed they hid themselves under the bike cover before they arrived at the port in Calais.

They were fined by the Home Office in February but Ms Russell said they were "absolutely relieved" to receive an email on Thursday confirming the fine has been cancelled.

A letter from Border Force seen by the BBC read: "Following a review of the case we have decided to revise the penalty, and conclude that you have demonstrated, to the extent required, that you complied with the regulations.

"The Secretary of State has chosen to exercise general discretion and exceptionally, on this occasion, your penalty has been reduced to £0."

'Stressful'

Ms Russell said it had been a "stressful few months", adding: "We've a lot of things going on in our lives, like family, work and looking after elderly parents.

"We didn't need something like this hanging over our heads, £3,000 is a lot of money."

Ms Russell said despite the ordeal, she and her family will be travelling to Spain and France, via Calais, during Easter.

She said: "Even though what we had experienced was distressing, it shouldn't stop us from what we want to do.

"We will be asking the French authorities to inspect our van to ensure there are no stowaways before we go through immigration check."

In a similar case, a couple from Essex had their £1,500 fine overturned after a migrant was found zipped inside the cover of a bike rack on the back of their motorhome after returning from France.

A Home Office spokesperson said it was "fully committed to stopping people from illegally entering the country and cracking down on people smugglers".

They said the "Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme is there to ensure drivers take every reasonable step to deter irregular migration".

"We understand that recipients of penalties may disagree with the circumstances of the fine which is why there is an objection process which can trigger a review of cases and a subsequent right to appeal at County Court."