"First fine paid in Euros after airport alert"

Tuesday, September 24, 2002

First fine paid in Euros after airport alert
By Rachel Williams and Vicky Shaw
United Kingdom - icWales


A French man who prompted a security alert at Cardiff International
Airport on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks is believed to be
the first person in Britain to pay a court fine in euros.

Hubert Bouchet, of Villiers-sur-Marne, was ordered to pay compensation
equivalent to £40 after admitting criminal damage to a fire alarm in the
airport.

Bouchet, 58, paid the equivalent sum of about 60 euros after the hearing
at Barry Magistrates Court on September 12.

The airport had to be evacuated when he smashed a fire alarm just half
an hour before a minute's silence was due to be held in memory of those
who died in the terrorist attacks.

The silence took place outside instead.

A spokeswoman for the Lord Chancellor's Office said this was the first
case she had been made aware of where payment has been made in euros -
but added that there is no central database for such records.

She said: "Magistrates courts can allow for fines to be paid in euros
but they have to make a specific order."

The spokeswoman said that courts are trying to ensure penalties are
enforced and added that if the man only had euros a judicial decision
could be made to make sure the fine was paid.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive said she was not aware of any
such instances taking place in Scotland.


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