A couple from Heybridge who had been fined £1,500 after discovering a stowaway on their motorhome during a trip from France to Essex have had their penalty revoked.

Adrian and Joanne Fenton faced the fine from the Home Office for allegedly “failing to check that no clandestine entrant was concealed” upon their return across the Channel.

The stowaway, a 16-year-old from Sudan, had hidden in the bicycle rack of their vehicle during the six-hour journey through the Channel tunnel from Calais.

Upon finding the boy, the Fentons immediately contacted the police. They later received an email notification from the Home Office informing them of the fine, stating the penalties were designed to deter negligence, not criminal behavior.

Adrian Fenton argued that the boy had been external to their vehicle and that he and his wife should not face penalties for taking the correct and moral action of reporting the incident.

Subsequently, the Fentons received another email from Border Force – part of the Home Office – canceling their fine.

Joanne Fenton expressed her happiness at the reversal, noting that while the incident hasn’t deterred them from traveling abroad with their motorhome, they will be more vigilant on future trips, avoiding any covers on the bike rack.

Adrian Fenton believes the Home Office needs to assess and adjust their policy to avoid unfairly penalizing holidaymakers who act responsibly and contact the authorities.

The couple hopes that no one else will have to endure a similar experience and emphasizes that those who report such incidents should not be considered for fines as they are taking the right and moral action.