By Hayley Robinson

A Mother who failed to stop her son playing truant has been spared a prison sentence.Suzanne Woodward was prosecuted by Kent County Council after her 13-year-old son attended Sittingbourne Community College a total of six days out of a possible 32 between June 7 and July 20 this year.

Woodward, who had admitted the charge at a previous hearing, appeared before Sittingbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday for sentencing.

The case history which was read out by Claire Deciacco, KCC's district manager for attendance and behaviour, revealed how Woodward failed to meet education officers on several occasions and even turned one away from her home saying it was not a convenient time.

The 33-year-old, who was sent letters reminding her of her legal responsibilities, also failed to respond to an action plan drawn up at a meeting in her absence.

Geoff Playford, defending, said his client had turned the officer away because she had just received a phone call informing her that her brother had been diagnosed with a very serious illness.

Mr Playford said: "It's also the case that some of the dates were dates he was excluded from school anyway.

"Things have improved slightly - but the main objective is to get this young man back into full time education.

"I understand he is excluded again. It doesn't help the situation if he knows he's only got to do a minor misdemeanour then he doesn't have to go."

Chairman of the bench Jonathan Penn said: "It's probably been said to you on more occasions than you wish to remember but it's your responsibility to make sure your son goes to school."

He explained that she could be sent to prison for the offence but added: "We don't want to do that it doesn't help you and it doesn't help your son or get us to where we need to be which is to get your son to school on a regular basis."

Woodward was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a 12-month supervision order and a six-month parenting order.