Mother jailed over her children’s truancy

Aug 1 2008 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A MOTHER who allowed her children to miss school for months on end was beginning a six week jail sentence last night.

Christine Davison, aged 40, is one of the first parents in the North East to be locked up under laws designed to crack down on truants.

An education boss described her case last night as “the most extreme we have experienced”.

Davison’s teenage son Jason failed to attend school once in six months.

Magistrates in Consett, County Durham, finally ran out of patience with his mother yesterday – sentencing her to six weeks’ imprisonment for her fourth offence of failing to ensure her children attended school.

Her sister, Linda Davison, 41, of Congburn View, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street, is due to appear before the same court next week accused of failing to send her son to Roseberry Sports and Community College.

The court heard Christine’s two children, Sarah, 16, and 15-year-old Jason, failed to attend the same school in Chester-le-Street on hundreds of occasions.

Davison, of Third Avenue, Chester-le-Street, was convicted in her absence of two charges of failing to make sure her children attended school when she failed to turn up for a court hearing earlier this month, after which a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Yesterday, Caroline Sinclair, prosecuting on behalf of Durham County Council, said Sarah had now reached school leaving age but had attended on only 35 occasions out of 172 between last December and June.

Jason had failed to attend a single school session during the same period.

Mrs Sinclair added that 17 visits had been made to Davison’s home and offers of help from the Education Welfare Service were repeatedly made.

Once, Davison had excused Sarah’s absence by saying she had an eye infection, even though education officers pointed out that her eyes looked fine and she was wearing eye makeup.

Davison’s solicitor, Suzanne Hanson, made an impassioned plea to magistrates to impose a parenting order on her client instead of jailing her.

She told the court that Davison had never been in trouble for any other offence apart from failing to send her children to school, and that “the thought of custody terrifies her”.

Ms Hanson said Davison was unable to control Jason, who flatly refused to go to school, and said his mother needed help from the Youth Engagement Service.

“Sending his mother to prison will not lead to changes in her son’s behaviour,” she added.

But Gary Walker, chairman of the bench, told Davison that a custodial sentence was “appropriate” given her previous record, and sentenced her to six weeks.

Davison remained impassive as she was led away in handcuffs by two security guards.

:: Read previous coverage on Christine Davison's court appearances below

Truant mother fails to turn up at court - July 4 2008 Neil McKay

Truant's mum risks jail - Oct 20 2007, Neil McKay