A mum has been jailed for failing to make sure her daughter attended school.

Colchester magistrates jailed the north Essex woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - for three months on Friday.

The court heard she had persistently failed to engage with Essex County Council's welfare service.

She had also not attended a meeting to discuss her year ten daughter's prolonged absence.

A spokesman for the county council said: "Whilst the county council never wants to see parents jailed as a result of pupil non-attendance, we have to protect the educational welfare of our children and are willing to go to court in their defence."

Court action is only used as a last resort to get pupils into school.

Published Monday August 23, 2004

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