Woman fined £1,500 for taking fruit to Australia

A British woman has been fined £1,500 for carrying fruit into Australia.

Customs officers found five tangerines, an apple and a pear while searching the bags of June Froude, 66, in Perth.

Mrs Froude, on a round-the-world trip with her husband Peter to visit their daughter and grandson, was charged with breaching quarantine laws. She was fined after appearing before magistrates, according to newspapers.

Her sister-in-law Rita Froude said the couple, from Yatton, near Bristol, were tired after the flight and not necessarily aware of the laws banning fruit. She said the fine would have come as a "nasty shock" during their six-week trip.

Paul O'Connor, regional director of customs in Western Australia, said Mrs Froude was convicted of making a false statement to customs officials and importing prohibited items.

"The courts over here are taking a very tough view in regard to quarantine offences. We provide passengers with every opportunity to declare items to us."

Any argument that Mrs Froude was tired or did not appreciate the rules was "not accepted" by the court.