Some penalties might be waived on proof of a reasonable excuse, such as a family illness.

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The 49-year-old mother, a laundry worker, had denied failing to send her daughter to school without reasonable excuse.

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One of the byelaws prohibits "people climbing on any wall, fence, tree, barrier, railing or structure without a reasonable excuse".

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Mr Bryant-Heron said Ms Casburn admits making the phonecall but denies asking for money, and says she had a reasonable excuse.

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Recent legislation - which is governed across the UK by the Home Office - made it an offence to possess an airgun in a public place without reasonable excuse such as vermin control near farms.

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With these resources at hand, a problematic student-athlete has no excuse for failing to make reasonable progress towards their degree attainment.

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Mr Brown has neither Mr Obama's charm, nor the excuse that he was making a reasonable point in a rather crass way.

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