Not fully understanding how fines and convictions work in this case.... I guess there is a distinction between 'reducing the fine to £0' and dropping the case altogether?
This was a civil penalty notice under the
Carriers' Liability Regulations 2002 (as amended). The offence was defined in the
Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The explanation, with leaflets etc, is
here.
Most of the words are about goods vehicles, of course. This looks like the relevant offence for this case:
32 Penalty for carrying clandestine entrants.
(1)A person is a clandestine entrant if—
(a)he arrives in the United Kingdom concealed in a vehicle, ship or aircraft,
(aa)he arrives in the United Kingdom concealed in a rail freight wagon,
(b)he passes, or attempts to pass, through immigration control concealed in a vehicle, or
(c)he arrives in the United Kingdom on a ship or aircraft, having embarked—
(i)concealed in a vehicle; and
(ii)at a time when the ship or aircraft was outside the United Kingdom,
and claims, or indicates that he intends to seek, asylum in the United Kingdom or evades, or attempts to evade, immigration control.
The law and regulations define the maximum penalty; the Secretary of State decides the amount in each case - there are guidelines about how much.
And in case you were wondering:
10.—(1) A notice may be served on a person under regulation 9(3) by:
(a)delivering it to that person;
(b)leaving it at his proper address;
(c)sending it to his proper address by first class post in a prepaid registered envelope or by the recorded delivery service;
(d)facsimile, sent to his usual or last known business facsimile number;
(e)electronic mail, sent to his usual or last known business electronic mail address.