An Essex couple have been left stunned after being fined £1,500 (€1,789) for reporting an irregular migrant who had clung onto their motorhome’s bike rack during a journey back home to the UK from France.

Adrian and Joanne Fenton, from Heybridge, called the police immediately upon discovering the individual zipped inside the cover of their bike rack, yet later received a penalty from the Home Office for failing to check their vehicle properly before setting home.

Essex couple’s shock discovery in motorhome

The retired couple had returned to the UK via ferry on October 15 after a trip to France with friends. Upon arriving home late at night, Mr. Fenton, aged 57, unzipped the ‘really tight’ bike cover on the back of their motorhome and made the shocking discovery.

Speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, Mrs. Fenton recalled, ‘He sees two trainers… goes to have a look, and there’s two legs attached to it.’

Realizing they had brought home an unexpected passenger; Mr. Fenton immediately told his wife to call the police.

The young man, who identified himself as a 16-year-old from Sudan, was taken into custody by authorities. Before his removal, Mrs. Fenton offered him a bottle of water, which he accepted with a ‘thank you.’

The couple assumed their involvement ended there but were shocked to receive an email from the Home Office during the Christmas period, informing them they had failed to ‘check that no clandestine entrant was concealed in the vehicle.’

The Fentons argue the fine is unfair, particularly as the migrant had been clinging to the outside of the vehicle rather than being inside it. Furthermore, they highlighted that neither French nor UK border officials had checked the bike rack during inspections before their ferry crossing.

Essex couple planning appeal against motorhome migrant fine

The case has caught the attention of local Conservative MP Sir John Whittingdale, who has written to Border Security and Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle to review the fine.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Fenton has expressed deep frustration and has begun drafting an appeal, which could cost them a further £150 (€179).

She also voiced concerns that such fines might discourage others from reporting similar discoveries. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

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