Kerry Katona faces fine over daughters' term-time holidayÂ
Reality TV star Kerry Katona has landed in trouble after two of her daughters, Lilly, left, and Molly, right, went on holiday during school term time
Reality TV star Kerry Katona has landed in hot water with the authorities after two of her daughters went on holiday during school term time.
The Atomic Kitten singer is facing a £240 fine after Molly, 15, and Lilly, 14, went away for a 'week's holiday' earlier this year.
But Katona insists the children were away in Barbados with their father, her former husband Brian McFadden, and that he was responsible for informing the school.
A representative said the fine has now been paid for the trip, which took place between February 20 and 24 this year.
Katona's spokesman told MailOnline: 'This is related to a holiday the children took with thei r father, Brian.
'As far as Kerry was aware he had informed the school. The fine has been paid.'
The 36-year-old was due to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court after the failure to pay a fine of £60 per child for the non-attendance at Uplands Community College.
The bill for non-attendance rises to £120 per child if it is not paid within 21 days.
Katona faces an unlimited fine, a possible jail sentence of up to three months and a parenting order if prosecuted.
MailOnline has contacted McFadden's representatives for comment but have not received a reply.
Katona, who is currently divorcing third husband and ex-rugby star George Kay, sent a cheque to cover the cost of the fine, but as it has not yet arrived, the council said.
She took to social media to pr otest her innocence, writing: '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.'
Katona insists the children were on holiday in Barbados(pictured) with their father, pop star Brian McFadden, and that he was responsible for informing the school
McFadden posted photos from the holiday on Barbados with his daughters, Molly and Lilly, on Instagram
McFadden - pictured in Barbados - rose to fame in 1998 as a member of the Irish boyband Westlife
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.'
It can go up to £2,500 after 28 days if the parents are convicted.
But Gareth Jones, representing East Sussex County Council, said her lawyer had called asking to delay the hearing.
A representative said the fine has now been paid for the trip, which took place between February 20 and 24 this year. Pictured: Katona hits back on social media
Mr Jones said: 'Her lawyer phoned and asked if the case could be put off.
'She says she is planning on paying it and we are prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt and allow her to pay it.
'There have been some concerns about the children's attendance. This instance was for taking the children away for a week's holiday.'
Teenagers Molly and Lilly are Katona's eldest daughters with Westlife singer Brian McFadden, 37.
The 2004 I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here! winner was photographed on February 19 this year having an emotional reunion with her children as she returned from the Australian leg of Atomic Kitten's reuni on tour.
Rules brought in during September 2013 banned parents from taking children on term-time holidays - but allowed schools to make exceptions in 'exceptional circumstances'.
Prior to that, head teachers were able to make their own judgements on whether to permit holidays of up to ten days a year.
McFadden pictured with Lilly and Molly. He has previously described his relationship with his girls as 'more of a friendship'
In April the Supreme Court drew a line under legal wrangling over the issue, after the Isle of Wight Council appealed against a High Court ruling last year in favour of father Jon Platt who refused to pay a fine.
Katona, of Crowborough, East Sussex, was recently branded the 'worst neighbour ever' by those living in her cul-de-sac who accused her of treating their driveways like her own.
The singer split from 38 year old husband Mr Kay, with whom she has a daughter named Dylan-Jorge, in June. The pair are now in the process of getting a divorce. Â
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