A couple who took their 14-year-old son out of school without permission for a five-day holiday to Spain were forced to pay a £1,230 fine after bailiffs were called in . They were originally fined £120 for the unauthorised absence from Sweyne Park School in Rayleigh , Essex , after being convicted in November 2014 of failing to ensure their child regularly attended school . After the unnamed family , of Hullbridge , Essex , appealed unsuccessfully against the fine and , after they did not pay , court bailiffs visited on March 6 demanding £1,230 . A couple who took their 14-year-old son out of Sweyne Park School in Essex without permission for a five-day holiday to Spain were forced to pay a £1,230 fine after bailiffs were called in . The boy ’ s grandmother , from Benfleet , Essex , paid up to stop the bailiffs taking property to cover the amount owed . The grandmother , who asked not to be named , said : ‘ The bailiff informed me that if the eye-watering fine of £1,230 wasn ’ t paid immediately they would force entry. ’ They told her goods would be sold to cover £3,500 for the fine and charges and the parents would be jailed for three months . She added : 'He 's a bright boy , my grandson , and he could easily hack five days off . 'He had never been in an aeroplane and my daughter wanted him to have the experience . 'Part of the problem is the tourism industry , which deliberately hikes up prices during the summer holidays . The grandmother , who asked not to be named , said : 'Part of the problem is the tourism industry , which deliberately hikes up prices during the summer holidays . It 's quite a sober warning to other parents ' 'It 's quite a sober warning to other parents . ' I know it was wrong to take him out of school , but the punishment was completely out of proportion . It was a bit Stasi. ’ An Essex County Council spokesman said parents legally had to ensure attendance . They added : 'Where there is concern for a child 's attendance , schools will work with the family to address the cause of the absence . 'The amendment in legislation in September 2013 made it clear that head teachers should not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances . '
Originally fined £120 for the absence from Sweyne Park School in Spain . Unsuccessfully appealed the decision but parents still refused to pay . Grandmother paid the bailiffs and said it was a 'sober warning to others '