A Stoke-on-Trent mum has been hauled before the courts and slapped with a £320.48 court bill – after taking their child on a term-time holiday.

The parents had travelled to India for a 10-day holiday in 2025 and the dad had coughed up his £160 fine which was reduced to £80.

But the mum says she did not realise she was liable for the same fine and failed to pay up.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council issued a notice to prosecute on 28 December and gave the mother a further seven days to make the payment.

But the fixed-penalty notice remained unpaid and the mum – who cannot be named for legal reasons – has now appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

Despite the fixed-penalty notice being issued to both parents, the mother told the court that she thought only one parent needed to pay and said that her partner had paid the £80 fine. The court also heard that this was a first time offence.

Magistrates ordered that the full £160 fine be paid plus costs of £128.48 and a £32 victim surcharge.

This took the total to £320.48 which needs to be paid in full within 28 days.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket