Tammy and Daniel Lambert have been ordered to pay almost £700
stokesentinel Administrator and Liam Ryder Digital Production Editor
01:15, 19 Jul 2025
Daniel and Tammy Lambert
A British couple who took their family abroad for a sunny holiday are now being forced to pay a £690 bill. Tammy and Daniel Lambert went away to Spain in April 2024 with their four children for a getaway on the Costa del Sol. But when they returned, they were slapped with an eye-watering fine.
This was because they took their four children on holiday during term time. The cost for taking a child out of school is £60 per parent, per child – meaning their trip to Benaladena cost an extra £480.
After refusing to pay the fine, Tammy and Daniel opted to take their case to court. As a result, they were ordered to pay a further £690, reports StokeonTrent Live.
The couple, told the court that their son Riley had been waiting for two years for an autism assessment at the time of the break. Since then, Riley has been diagnosed with the condition.
The pair appeared in court in an attempt to overturn their fine
Tammy and Daniel, from Trent Vale in Staffordsdhire, appeared in front of Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre. Tammy Lambert told the court: “We had to time meals and go later when it was quieter.
“We were around the pool in a quieter area and when it was quieter. We had disability assistance on the plane and getting through the airport.
“I sent in photographs of Riley walking through the airport wearing his dressing gown, and with his ear defenders and weighted blanket. One of the reasons for going then was we were going with a family that understands the struggles we have.
“We went with our friend and she has an autistic son. He was on the waiting list for two years and has had a diagnosis of autism by a specialist – he was diagnosed about six weeks ago.
“They’re also requesting he has an ADHD assessment as well. We put our hands up, we did do it the wrong way.
“The children have good attendance – Riley’s is 97 per cent at the moment and the only time they are off is due to illness.”
‘The law is very clear’
The Lamberts admitted that their four children failed to attend school between April 25 and May 3, 2024. They were fined a total of £407 and also ordered to pay a combined £163 victim surcharge and £120 costs.
The court granted StokeonTrentLive’s request for the Lamberts and Riley to be named. A magistrate told the Lamberts: “It’s important that children attend school, not only for their education but for their social skills.
“If they are not in school they are being deprived of essential skills, not withstanding the difficulties a disabled child will have. While we have every sympathy and acknowledge the difficulties, from what you have told us, the difficulties of having a disabled child, the law is very clear.
“Parents cannot take a child out of school without the prior authority of the child’s headmaster. You were issued with a fixed-penalty notice. You decided not to pay – that’s why you are here.”