Truancy mum ‘was close to jail term’

Dec 1 2007 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A WOMAN who admitted a third offence of failing to ensure her daughter attended school was told yesterday she had narrowly escaped being jailed.

Christine Davison, 39, of Third Avenue, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, admitted failing to ensure daughter Sarah, 15, attended Roseberry Sports and Community College between January and July.

Yesterday when she appeared before Durham magistrates for sentencing, David Balls, the chairman of the bench, told her: “You came very, very close to receiving a custodial sentence.” An earlier hearing was told Sarah had only attended 144 sessions out of a possible 212 during the six months – an attendance record of 68%, and Davison had failed to attend several meetings arranged at the school to discuss her daughter’s absences.

But the court was told yesterday that Sarah’s attendance had improved recently.

Sentencing her to a community service order for 12 months and ordering her to attend education training sessions, Mr Balls told Davison: “Your lack of enforcement is hindering your child’s future. The person being deprived by your action is not yourself but your child.” Davison was fined £80 in November 2004 for failing to send her child to school, and in August last year was sentenced to 12 months’ community work under supervision. The court was told she still owed £732 in unpaid fines.

Three months ago, Davison’s sister, Linda, 40, of Congburn View, Pelton, was also convicted for the third time of failing to send her son to the same school. She was sentenced to a 12-month supervised community order.

Maureen Clare, head of access and inclusion for Durham County Council’s children’s services, said: “As a last resort, we will not hesitate to prosecute parents for non-school attendance.”