Latest news with #GeoffEvans
BBC News
28-03-2025
- BBC News
Kent couple's £3k fine for stowaway migrant scrapped
A couple fined £3,000 for unknowingly driving two Sudanese migrants through Calais in a campervan have had the penalty Russell and her partner Geoff Evans from Kent were stopped by Border Force officers in France as they returned from a short family break last Russell, 44, said they had "no idea" when the man and teenager stowed themselves into the bike rack of their van, but believed they hid themselves under the bike cover before they arrived at the port in were fined by the Home Office in February but Ms Russell said they were "absolutely relieved" to receive an email on Thursday confirming the fine has been cancelled. A letter from Border Force seen by the BBC read: "Following a review of the case we have decided to revise the penalty, and conclude that you have demonstrated, to the extent required, that you complied with the regulations. "The Secretary of State has chosen to exercise general discretion and exceptionally, on this occasion, your penalty has been reduced to £0." 'Stressful' Ms Russell said it had been a "stressful few months", adding: "We've a lot of things going on in our lives, like family, work and looking after elderly parents."We didn't need something like this hanging over our heads, £3,000 is a lot of money."Ms Russell said despite the ordeal, she and her family will be travelling to Spain and France, via Calais, during said: "Even though what we had experienced was distressing, it shouldn't stop us from what we want to do."We will be asking the French authorities to inspect our van to ensure there are no stowaways before we go through immigration check."In a similar case, a couple from Essex had their £1,500 fine overturned after a migrant was found zipped inside the cover of a bike rack on the back of their motorhome after returning from France. A Home Office spokesperson said it was "fully committed to stopping people from illegally entering the country and cracking down on people smugglers".They said the "Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme is there to ensure drivers take every reasonable step to deter irregular migration"."We understand that recipients of penalties may disagree with the circumstances of the fine which is why there is an objection process which can trigger a review of cases and a subsequent right to appeal at County Court."
BBC News
17-03-2025
- BBC News
Kent couple fined after two migrants found on campervan bike rack
A couple has been fined £3,000 after unknowingly driving two Sudanese migrants through Calais in a Russell and her partner Geoff Evans from Kent were stopped by Border Force officers in France as they returned from a short family break last October. Ms Russell told the BBC they had "no idea" when the man and teenager stowed themselves into the bike rack of their van, but believed they hid themselves under the bike cover before they arrived at Calais port."We came out of a shopping centre and saw a lady was guarding her van and our van. She told us some one had tried to steal our bikes," she said. Ms Russell said after leaving the shopping centre, they felt "uneasy" and decided to go to the docks because it would be "safer"."After Border Force officers inspected our van at the port, they said we could go. Just as we pulled away, they told us to stop as we had two stowaways on our bike rack over the bike cover", Ms Russell said. 'Feel like victims' Ms Russell said they remained at Calais for three hours while authorities dealt with the incident. Four months later, the couple have received a fine from Home Office. A Home Office spokesperson says they "understand that recipients of penalties may disagree with the circumstances of the fine". They say the Home Office is "fully committed" in stopping people from illegally entering the country and "cracking down on people smugglers". "The Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme is there to ensure drivers take every reasonable step to deter irregular migration," they added."The option to appeal and trigger a review is made clear in supporting documents."Ms Russell said: "Who's got a spare £3,000 these days and for something we didn't do. "We feel like the victims and it's really unfair."She said they had already written to the Home Office to appeal against the fine.
