A MOTHER, in court for the fourth time for not sending her children to school was sentenced to 84 days in prison, suspended for a year.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates in Grays on Thursday (3 March)
Magistrates were told that she had failed to engage with Thurrock Council’s Education Welfare service which had tried to meet with her to offer support several times.
Two children, aged nine and six, missed 45½ days and 44½ days respectively in 15 school weeks.
Previously she had served ten days of a 28-day custodial sentence and the latest prosecution also included breach of a previous conditional discharge.
The mother, who admitted the charges, received a 28 days prison sentence for all three offences to run consecutively – 84 days in total.
Sentence was suspended for 12 months.
She also received a 12 month Community Order consisting of 100 hours unpaid work and regular supervision by the Probation Service.
In passing sentence the magistrate advised that should she not engage with the order, or should she commit any other offence within the year, she will go straight to prison.
Thurrock Council’s Education Welfare service is working with all schools to improve attendance across the borough.
Improving education standards is the council’s top priorities and it will use all statutory powers, including prosecution if necessary, to ensure every child accesses their right to an education.
Shame these mother cannot be named and shamed on the front of he local papers. As a mother you have a duty to make sure that your children are well cared for, well fed and well educated.