Peter Hughes' £6,000 Fine Reduced to £150

Peter Hughes, a 75-year-old retired ambulance worker, had his initial £6,000 fine reduced to £150 after a Sudanese migrant was found hiding in his camping trailer at the Port of Calais. Hughes and his wife were unaware of the stowaway, believing he climbed in while they stopped at a supermarket before boarding their ferry. Following significant political and media pressure, including intervention from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Hughes successfully appealed the penalty, although he still begrudgingly paid the reduced fine. He criticized the Home Office's enforcement actions as 'obscene' and warned other travelers about the potential risks of stowaways. Hughes shared that the incident caused considerable stress for him and his wife, urging ferry companies to inform passengers about such risks. The case highlights the growing challenges associated with illegal immigration and border enforcement in Europe.