Telford couple fined over children's holiday

A couple who took their children on a week-long holiday during school term time have been ordered by magistrates to pay £993 in costs and fines.

Stewart and Natasha Sutherland, from Telford, Shropshire, their two daughters, aged 15 and 13, and six-year-old son went to the Greek island of Rhodes for a week at the end of September 2013.

The couple originally refused to pay a £360 fine. It then doubled after they failed to pay within 21 days.

They admitted failing to ensure their children attended school regularly.

Joanne Writtle reports.