Lisa Russell and Geoff Evans are facing a £3,000 fine after the incident (Image: GB News)
A British couple have been fined £3,000 after two were found clinging to the bike rack on the back of their motorhome following a trip to . Lisa Russell and her partner, Geoff Evans, had stopped at the Cite Europe shopping centre before heading to Calais port when a passerby alerted them to people lurking near their vehicle.
Speaking to Ben Leo Tonight on , she recalled: “We checked our bikes, and everything seemed fine, so we carried on to the port. “Once there, Border Force officers inspected our van, told us we were clear to go, but then suddenly stopped us and said, ‘You have two clandestines under your bike cover.’” The migrants, a man and a 15-year-old boy from Sudan, were removed, and Ms Russell said officers reassured them they would not face penalties.
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A migrant camp in Calais (Image: Getty)
She said: “They were really nice to us, explained everything, and even said we wouldn’t be fined because the migrants were outside the vehicle.”
However, a month later, the couple received an email informing them they had been hit with a £3,000 fine.
The incident highlights the ongoing migrant crisis, with illegal camps near Calais and desperate attempts by asylum seekers to reach the UK.
Ms Russell criticised the lack of guidance for travellers, saying: “There are no warnings when you go over to Calais with your ferry ticket.
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The couple were heading to the Port of Calais after a day trip (Image: Getty)
“We all know to lock our vehicles, but there’s nothing telling you where migrants might try to get in.”
The couple has formally objected to the fine and, if unsuccessful, will have to go through a complicated appeal process.
Ms Russell said: “If we lose the appeal, we not only have to pay the fine but also the costs of the Border Force.”
A Home Office spokesperson said:”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.
“We understand that recipients of penalties may disagree with the circumstances of the fine. The option to appeal and trigger a review is made clear in supporting documents.”