Essex Couple Fined for Stowaway in Bike Rack

Adrian and Joanne Fenton, a couple from Essex, were fined £1,500 by the Home Office after discovering a Sudanese migrant hiding in their motorhome's bike rack upon returning from France. The couple immediately reported the stowaway to the police, yet they received the fine for not adequately checking their vehicle for clandestine entrants, as per the Carriers Liability Amendment Regulation 2023, which aims to curb negligence rather than criminality. Joanne Fenton expressed frustration, arguing the fine is unfair given the couple's prompt reporting to authorities and the impracticality of checking external bike racks during travel. The Fentons are appealing the fine, which incurs an additional cost of £150, and have highlighted the danger and impracticality of inspecting vehicles under such circumstances. They received the fine notification while on holiday in Australia over Christmas. The Home Office enforces these penalties to deter negligence, although the couple fears it might discourage others from reporting stowaways.