text: 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.'
target: Originally fined £120 for the absence from Sweyne Park School in Essex .
  Unsuccessfully appealed the decision but parents still refused to pay .
  Grandmother paid the bailiffs and said it was a 'sober warning to others'