A MOTHER has been fined £400 by Bexley Magistrates after being taken to court for failing to send her eight-year-old son to school.

Bexley Council's education welfare service prosecuted the Barnehurst mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and she was dealt with in her absence after failing to turn up at several court appearances.

Geoff Oldroyd, the acting head of the welfare services, told the court the boy had been absent from school for periods of 10 to 12 weeks at a time.

He also said the mother had been unco-operative with his department and had not turned up for arranged meetings.

The court said the mother's lack of co-operation amounted to aggravated circumstances and in addition to the fine, ordered the mother to pay £60 costs.

After the case, Mr Oldroyd said: “This marks quite a victory for the education authorities.

“We are used to parents being given a conditional discharge or fined about £50. Just a few years ago one parent was given a fine of only £8 for truancy offences.

“As school attendance is given a higher profile, there will probably be more cases brought before the courts. This result should be a salutary reminder to parents of their obligation to prevent truancy.”