3:00pm Wednesday 27th May 2009
MAGISTRATES slapped a Tilbury mother with a £3,285 fine for not sending her children to school.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not attend Grays Magistrates Court on Thursday May 21 but was found guilty in her absence.
She was fined £525 for each of her six kids, aged five to 15, and ordered to pay costs of £120 and a victim surcharge of £15.
Thurrock Council’s Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Councillor Sue MacPherson, said: “I am shocked that some parents would willingly deprive their children of the opportunity to benefit from an education.
“Parents have a legal requirement to ensure their children go to school, and the council will continue to take legal action against those who refuse to provide their children with this basic right.”
On the same day, another Tilbury mother received a conditional discharge for failing to send her 15-year-old daughter to school.
The woman, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Grays Magistrate Court where she pleaded guilty at Grays Magistrates Court and received a 12-month conditional discharge.
In addition, she was ordered to pay £120 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
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