[A] CARLISLE mum whose teenage son missed a third of his schooling over an 18-month period has been sentenced by city magistrates.
Cumbria County Council prosecuted the mother in view of the boy’s poor attendance rate. She was charged with being the parent of a compulsory school age child who failed to attend regularly. The case was proved in her absence last month, and she appeared in court today (WED).
Magistrates heard the son’s attendance figure between September, 2016, and March this year was 57 per cent. In contrast, his peer group’s rate was 94 per cent.
Numerous attempts were initially made to discuss the matter with the woman, who failed to respond.
In court, the mother spoke of difficult personal circumstances during the 18 months. “I am going to try and get myself back on track, and get him back to school,” she stated. “I have just had a bad year.”
She received a community order comprising a three-month night-time curfew.
“Can I impress on you the importance of your child attending school,” presiding magistrate Mary Brough said. “You have said you are going to make every effort – you must make every effort.”
