Kerry Katona has found herself in trouble with the authorities, after her ex-husband Brian McFadden took their two daughters Molly and Lilly on a holiday during term-time.
Brian took the girls on a week-long trip to Barbados back in February, and Kerry claims he neglected to tell the school about it. Afterwards, Kerry was fined £60 per child for non-attendance at their school, Uplands Community College.
According to The Mail Online, the original fine of £120 was not paid within the three-week period given, and subsequently rose to £240.
Kerry was due to appear at Brighton Magistrate’s Court after failing to pay the fine, however, her lawyer requested that the hearing be delayed.
The mum-of-five could face an unlimited fine, a parenting order, and a possible jail sentence of up to three months if prosecuted.
However, a representative for the former Atomic Kitten singer said the fine had been paid: “This is related to a holiday the children took with their father, Brian.
“As far as Kerry was aware, he had informed the school. The fine has been paid."
It’s believed Kerry sent a cheque to cover the cost of the fine, but the council say it has not arrived yet.
A spokesperson for East Sussex County Council said: “We have been told by her solicitors that she is going to pay it but we have not received it yet. Her solicitors have told us there is a cheque in the post.”
Council spokesperson Gareth Jones said they would give Kerry “the benefit of the doubt and allow her to pay it”.
Kerry took to social media to explain her side of the story, saying: “Just to clear this whole thing regards to the children going away on holiday in February - this was not me.
“Their dad took them away to Barbados. The matter has now been sorted.”
Recently, Kerry revealed her eldest daughter Molly would be moving to Ireland to live with dad Brian while she pursues her education there.
15-year-old Molly will attend transition year, and is taking on the extra year of school to improve her grades as much as possible. She hopes to pursue a career as a surgeon.
Kerry previously told OK! how much she supported her daughter's decision and her dreams for the future: "We sat down and talked about it. I told her that if she didn’t do it, she could live to regret it. I don’t want her to live a life full of regrets."
