A MOTHER has been jailed by magistrates for three weeks after her daughter failed to attend school regularly.

The 27-year-old mother from Tilbury, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was handed the sentence at Grays Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Her eight-year-old daughter had attended school on just 91 half-days out of a possible 132 in three months.

The mother admitted the offences at an earlier hearing and the case was adjourned for probation reports.

The court heard how the defendant failed to engage with council education officers and social workers, and a number of other professionals who offered help to the family.

Magistrates were also told the defendant failed to turn up to court on her first occasion and failed to attend three probation appointments which were made for her.

She had also previously been prosecuted and fined for offences under the Education Act 1996 and education welfare attendance advisors from Thurrock Council had made numerous attempts to discuss and assist with the child’s school attendance.

Cllr Sue MacPherson, Thurrock Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said after the sentencing: “Actually taking a parent to court for failing to ensure their child attends school is a last resort for Thurrock Council, but unfortunately one we are having to take more often.

“The fact this woman then failed to appear in court and to attend probation interviews shows that sometimes only a custodial sentence will do.

“We all have a responsibility to make sure our children attend school on a regular basis. In this instance the eight-year-old missed around a third of the sessions she should have attended, that can only have a detrimental effect on her education.

“The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence.”