A couple fined by the government after a migrant hid on their motorhome say it’s unfair as they checked the vehicle before leaving France – and even border officers didn’t spot him.
Joanne and Adrian Fenton found the man when they parked up at their Essex home in October.
He was zipped inside the bike rack cover – and a few weeks ago the Home Office confirmed they’re getting a hefty fine.
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In full: Tuesday’s UK Tonight
Mr Fenton told The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee they had no idea the man was there and described the moment they finally caught sight of him.
“[I] backed up to the garage and as I walked around the rear of the vehicle and lifted up the canvas cover, I saw a pair of white trainers,” he said.
“Then suddenly they start moving, and I lift the cover up and see a pair of legs – and look up and there’s someone under there.”
Mr Fenton said he shouted to his wife to call the police and gave the man some water until officers arrived.
The Fentons immediately called the police when they found the man back in Essex
“We asked him to stay under the cover as we didn’t know if he was violent, aggressive, on drugs, or anything like that,” Mr Fenton added.
He said they did “everything reasonably practical to check our vehicle” before heading back from France.
“When we left out last destination, the Carrefour, we walked round, we checked the vehicle,” he said – adding that the vehicle is also fully alarmed.
His wife, Joanne, said they are fighting the fine but thinks the Home Office will “just say we didn’t check properly – and still fine us whatever”.
The stowaway got inside the bike rack cover
Mrs Fenton told Sky News: “They are trying this to stop it [illegal migration], and we get that. They’re saying we’re negligent, we get that.
“But we’re holidaymakers. The lorry drivers – they [border officers] use infrared [to check].
“Why can’t they do that with the holidaymakers, motorhomes, caravans coming through the Shuttle?”
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The Fentons think the Home Office will insist they didn’t check properly
The couple said the motorhome was also checked at passport control, with an officer walking around the vehicle with Mr Fenton.
“They’re the professionals,” he said.
“If they can’t spot someone how are we – as holidaymakers and tourists – supposed to do it.”
The Home Office said in a statement: “We are fully committed to stopping people from illegally entering the country and cracking down on people smugglers, which is why the clandestine entrant civil penalty scheme is there to ensure drivers take every reasonable step to deter irregular migration.”
