Pregnant mother of truant is jailed
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A pregnant mother is spending Christmas and New Year in jail after failing to overturn a prison sentence for not sending her daughter to school.
The woman, 41, from Ipswich, who has not been named for legal reasons, was jailed for 28 days by magistrates earlier this week. She appealed against the sentence but it was rejected at Ipswich Crown Court on Christmas Eve.
The woman, who is six months' pregnant, was fined for an identical offence two years ago. Then, she was warned by a court that her daughter, now 11, should attend school for at least 80 per cent of the time.
The court was told the child's attendance record had been poor at primary and secondary school.
A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council said: "Of course it is unfortunate that the mother in this case has received a 28 day prison sentence.
"But it underlines the seriousness of regular school attendance and a parent's legal responsibility to ensure this happens. It is important we remain focused on the child's need to receive a proper education and we will continue to work with the family."
Parents can be fined up to £2,500 or sent to jail if they do not heed warnings to ensure their child attends school.