Father prosecuted for truant son
Published Wednesday 1st December 10 in Council - news and information releases news
A Southend man is taking the rap for allowing his son to miss school.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates in Southend for failing to ensure that his son, a year 11 pupil, attended school regularly.
He denied the charge but was found guilty by JPs and sentenced to a 60-hour community penalty and ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs.
The court heard that the boy, whose father had falsely maintained his son had been unwell, had only turned up for school 75.9 per cent of the time, with no pattern for his absences.
Roger Hadley, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, said: "Truancy is a very serious matter, and this case shows we will take action if parents don't make sure their youngsters attend school.
"Young people who truant are seriously jeopardising their chances of receiving good grades and this will impact on their future, and on their life chances. They are also at increased risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system or becoming victims of crime."