THE dad who paid a £60 school fine with a bucketful of coppers has admitted he waited a WEEK for them to arrive - as the council blasted his behaviour as "intimidating" and "unacceptable".

Paddy Forbes, who was slapped with a penalty after he took his son on holiday to Egypt during term-time, was filmed pouring the full sum in pennies onto the counter at Swansea Civic Centre.

7

Paddy arrived at the counter at Swansea Civic Centre and said 'Hiya, I've come to pay my payment fee for not taking my son to school'

7 The dad then poured copper coins on the counter as somebody filmed him Credit: Mercury Press

Paddy, who left the enormous pile of coins there for staff to scoop up, claimed he was "polite" but the council have said his actions "will not be tolerated".

Swansea Council spokesman said: "This is totally unacceptable behaviour towards our staff and will not be tolerated.

"Members of our staff are providing an important service to the public and should not feel intimidated in their place of work in this way.

"The Fixed Penalty Notice was issued appropriately and there was no justification for what happened. There is no 'fine for holidays scheme' in Wales.

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"In line with Welsh Government guidance, fixed penalties for regular non-attendance are only issued when there are significant unauthorised absences and attendance falls below 90% - the level at which not coming to school will affect a child's abi2lity to achieve their full potential."

Paddy's fine came just weeks after a dad who refused to pay a £60 fine for taking his daughter to Disney Land in term-time lost a landmark Supreme Court ruling.

Jon Platt up ended paying around £12,000 to fight the case.

The dad left the money in a pile for a member of council staff to scoop up and submit as payment

7 Paddy, pictured here with son Tommy-Lee, said the fine is there just to 'punish working class families' Credit: Mercury Press

Paddy, who runs his own transport firm, said: "There was no mention of how I had to pay so in my opinion it's settled. I was polite to the woman there and all the money was there.

"It's nothing against any of the staff at the Civic Centre. I know it's not their fault.

"I actually ordered all the coppers from the post office and had to wait about a week to get them.

"I went in to the Civic Centre and waited my turn. My friend filmed me and that was that.

"One of the staff and a security guard did have a word with me but I told them the £60 was there in full.

"I expect I'll probably get another letter through the door. A few people have told me it's not legal tender if you pay that much in one pence and two pence pieces."

7 Tommy-Lee's dad said his son would learn more on holiday than in a Swansea classroom at school Credit: Mercury Press

The Royal Mint states that 1p and 2p coins can legally be used to pay for any sum up to the value of 20p. Any payment made in coppers over the 20p threshold is not classed as legal tender and is technically a breach of the Coinage Act 1971.

It means the council could refuse to accept Paddy's payment.

Despite facing the fine, the dad said Tommy-Lee, who attends Gwyrosydd Primary School in Wales, benefited 'enormously' from the trip, taking in cultural sights such as the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

He was joined on the holiday by his mum, 31-year-old Kelly, and an auntie and uncle.

Paddy, who lives with his family in Swansea, said: "As far as I'm concerned that's it paid. They asked for £60 and they got £60.

"It's a ridiculous rule designed to punish working-class families anyway. I can't afford to take everyone away during half-term.

7 As well as enjoying his resort's pool, Tommy-Lee was taken to see the Valley of the Kings in the city of Luxor Credit: Mercury Press

"I came into a bit of money at the time and we may not have got another chance to go to somewhere like Egypt.

"I told the school in advance that I would be taking Tommy-Lee but of course I knew they would fine me anyway. I just took it on the chin.

"They say the rule is designed with the kids in mind but it's nothing to do with the kids - it's just another way of taxing you.

"I was aware I wouldn't get away with it but I made the decision I thought was best for Tommy-Lee. It was a spur-of-the-moment booking while I could afford it.

"Where is he going to learn more about the world? Sitting in a classroom in Swansea or at an Egyptian temple?

"He was so excited to be in Egypt and I wouldn't have wanted to deny him that opportunity."

7 Paddy is pictured here in Egypt where he took his family on holiday during term-time Credit: Mercury Press

Jon Platt was prosecuted by Isle of Wight Council after he took his daughter on a week-long trip to Disney World in Florida in April 2015.

He refused to pay the penalty and magistrates found he had no case to answer.

The local authority took him to the High Court where the magistrates' decision was upheld.

He eventually lost after the case was heard in the Supreme Court this year.

Lady Hale, deputy president of the court, said: "Unauthorised absences have a disruptive effect; not only on the individual child but also on the work of other pupils.

"If one pupil can be taken out whenever it suits the parent, so can others."

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