Parents who took children out of school have court cases thrown out (UK)

Daily Mail 3 May 2016
Family First Comment: Interesting case in the UK which could have some influence on any similar case in NZ.
“The parents’ legal victory comes after father Jon Platt had the £120 fine he received for taking his seven-year-old daughter to Disney World during term time overturned in October last year. Mr Platt, from Nettlestone, Isle of Wight, had to travel during term because there was no other date when all the relatives would be available, but the girl’s school on the island refused to sign off on her absence.”
Parents who were facing prosecution for taking their children out of school during term time have had their cases thrown out of court in a landmark ruling.
Two couples were put on trial after council welfare officers in Swindon, Wiltshire accused them of failing to secure regular attendance for their children because they had pulled the youngsters out of class.
However, magistrates have now said the case can not proceed because there is no legal benchmark for what constitutes ‘persistent’ absence.
The ruling could cast doubt on many similar prosecutions being pursued against parents across the country.
The first couple’s child, who is of secondary school age, was pulled out of class for a five-day holiday in October last year without written permission, the court heard.
READ MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3569590/Parents-prosecuted-taking-children-school-term-time-cases-thrown-court-landmark-ruling.html