Wednesday, January 22, 2014 9:16:13 EST AM
The Sutherland Family
A British couple has been fined $1,800 for taking their children out of school for a week for a family vacation.
Natasha and Stewart Sutherland took their two teen daughters and six-year-old son to the Greek island of Rhodes for a week at the end of September. They were fined $650 initially for failing to ensure their children attended school regularly. That fine doubled when they didn't pay it within 21 days.
Stewart Sutherland argued in court he booked the family vacation - which he said was also educational - before new rules about taking children out of school came into effect Sept. 1. He also said he and his wife rarely get time off together, and the vacation was much needed family time.
But a judge still fined the couple $1,800 in court Jan. 15, the BBC reported.
The couple started a petition asking the government to reverse amendments to the education regulations.