Criminal record over Mallorca trip

A British mother has been given a criminal record and a fine for taking her son to Mallorca during term-time so that he could say his goodbyes to his dying grandfather.

Sally Randall, 35, took her son James, 13, out of Norden High School in Rishton, Lancashire, for the 10 day trip so that he could spend time with his dying grandfather.

Norden High School had refused the request as it was not deemed ‘an exceptional circumstance’.

The holiday, paid for by grandparents Lavinia and Graham Crisp, was so that Mr Crisp, who had terminal cancer, could spend some quality time with his family.

Grandfather Graham Crisp died from his illness, pancreatic cancer, just months after the family break, which had been one of his last wishes.

Ms Randall was hauled to Blackburn Magistrates’ Court over the term-time break and pleaded guilty to a truancy charge which resulted in a six-month criminal record.

The court gave the mother-of-three a six-month conditional discharge and ordered her to pay a £15 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to failing to send a child to school.

In court Ms Randall said: “It was his last holiday with his grandchildren.

“I feel it’s an exceptional circumstance, because of the memories and photographs we’ve got from this holiday.”

She explained that the holiday was originally planned for Easter but Mr Crisp was very ill and had to undergo a course of chemotherapy, pushing the holiday back to September 2013.

On the family’s return, Ms Randall had been issued with a £120 fine.

Ms Randall argued: “It’s upsetting because I’ve never been in trouble with the police in my life.

“I don’t see why I should have something on my record, no matter how small.

“I understand I broke the law, but if the Headteacher doesn’t think a grandparent dying is an exceptional circumstance then I don’t know what is.

“I think it’s disgusting. Graham is dead now. As soon as we came back from holiday he was more or less in the hospice.

“The kids talk about that holiday every single week. His last wish has been granted, and they’ll always remember their granddad. It’s just a shame it’s ended like this.’