A MOTHER would see off her 13-year-old son to school but then later find he had skipped classes and returned home, a court heard.

Medway magistrates heard that the mother would see him leave on the bus or on his bicycle and then she would go to work, assuming he was at school. But later she would find him back home or playing in his neighbourhood in Rochester.

Medway magistrates heard that the boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had missed a third of his classes in just over five months.

The mother pleaded guilty to failing to ensure her son regularly attended school lessons between January 27 and July 4 this year.

Derek Harpum, prosecuting for Medway Council's education department, said the boy had attended only 58 out of 186 school sessions during that period.

Education welfare officers got involved and warnings of legal proceedings were eventually given but the boy continued to miss school.

Mr Harpum said the woman had two previous convictions for failing to ensure a child of hers went to school.

David Nelson, for the defendant, said she was a single mother with two other children, one a 16-year-old pregnant daughter who was also going to be a single mum.

He said: "She was aware of the situation with her son and she was not trying to ignore the problem.''

Mr Nelson said she responded to education authority letters and took their advice.

The boy had thought he could get away with not going to school but she took action if he played truant, such as stopping his pocket money.

Magistrates adjourned the case until October 2 for pre-sentence reports. The mother was remanded on unconditional bail.