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Mother is sentenced over truancy Mother is sentenced over truancy
(about 1 hour later)
A mother who claimed her daughter was too old and too big to be forced to go to school has been sentenced.A mother who claimed her daughter was too old and too big to be forced to go to school has been sentenced.
In five months up to February, the girl, now 16, attended on 22 out of 200 possible occasions, the court was told.In five months up to February, the girl, now 16, attended on 22 out of 200 possible occasions, the court was told.
Joanne Griffiths, 31, of Cwmbran, Torfaen, was earlier convicted of failing to send her to classes.Joanne Griffiths, 31, of Cwmbran, Torfaen, was earlier convicted of failing to send her to classes.
Magistrates in Newport, south Wales, gave Griffiths 12 months' supervision, told her to do 80 hours' unpaid work and contribute £400 to costs.Magistrates in Newport, south Wales, gave Griffiths 12 months' supervision, told her to do 80 hours' unpaid work and contribute £400 to costs.
The court heard there had been problems with her attendance since she was nine. Speaking after the case, Griffiths said she was not planning to appeal.
Griffiths had told Abergavenny magistrates that she had done everything she could to send her daughter to school, but failed.She also accused the authorities of not doing enough to help. She said her daughter, who now 16 did not like school and refused to attend. Referring to her efforts in trying to persuade her daughter to go to school, she said: "Difficult is not the word, it is impossible. My client has been at her wits' end Robert Wade, defending Joanne Griffiths
She described to the court how on one occasion she tried to drag her daughter from bed, slapping her on the leg. My client has been at her wits' end Robert Wade, defending Joanne Griffiths "You cannot physically force a child of a certain age and size to do something that they don't want to do. I have tried everything."
She described her daughter as like any other normal teenager with friends and an interest in computers.
The court heard that there had been problems with her attendance since she was nine.
Griffiths had told Abergavenny magistrates that she had done everything she could to send her daughter to school, but failed.
She also accused the authorities of not doing enough to help. She said her daughter did not like school and refused to attend.
She described to the court how on one occasion she tried to drag her daughter from bed, slapping her on the leg.
But the girl slapped her back and she left her to avoid a physical fight.But the girl slapped her back and she left her to avoid a physical fight.
Previous convictions
Chris Tindall, representing Torfaen council, told Newport magistrates the council had a good school attendance record.Chris Tindall, representing Torfaen council, told Newport magistrates the council had a good school attendance record.
Out of 16,000 pupils attending primary and secondary schools in Torfaen in the period between September 2007 and July 2008, only 10 prosecutions were brought.Out of 16,000 pupils attending primary and secondary schools in Torfaen in the period between September 2007 and July 2008, only 10 prosecutions were brought.
"This illustrates the steps the council takes to assist parents," he said."This illustrates the steps the council takes to assist parents," he said.
Griffiths had failed to attend meetings, appointments and return phone calls he said.Griffiths had failed to attend meetings, appointments and return phone calls he said.
He said Griffiths had four previous convictions, all of which related to her daughter. He said magistrates in Abergavenny found there was no justification for Griffiths failing to make her daughter attend school.He said Griffiths had four previous convictions, all of which related to her daughter. He said magistrates in Abergavenny found there was no justification for Griffiths failing to make her daughter attend school.
Robert Wade, defending, said his client fully accepted the importance of her daughter's education. Robert Wade, defending, said his client fully accepted the importance of her daughter's education. You cannot physically force a child of a certain age and size to do something that they don't want to do Joanna Griffiths "My client has been at her wits' end to make her do so.
"My client has been at her wits' end to make her do so.
"It may be wholly undesirable, but you could force a person to go to school. But my client gave evidence in court to say she had tried to physically take her to school, but failed," Mr Wade said."It may be wholly undesirable, but you could force a person to go to school. But my client gave evidence in court to say she had tried to physically take her to school, but failed," Mr Wade said.
He said his client's history was tragic "beyond belief".He said his client's history was tragic "beyond belief".
She became pregnant with her daughter when 14, gave birth when 15 and has since suffered from post-natal depression, the court heard. She is still on anti-depressants, he said.She became pregnant with her daughter when 14, gave birth when 15 and has since suffered from post-natal depression, the court heard. She is still on anti-depressants, he said.
"For whatever reason, since the age of nine my client's daughter has been out of control," said Mr Wade.
"Out of control to a lone parent or somebody who does not have the physical force or mental presence to compel her to do so."
He added: "We have to make it abundantly clear to everybody that it cannot be that a child can miss so much education.
"My client would fully endorse that."
Griffiths failed to attend some meetings at the school in the autumn of 2007 because her mother was taken ill with cancer, Mr Wade said.Griffiths failed to attend some meetings at the school in the autumn of 2007 because her mother was taken ill with cancer, Mr Wade said.
"She did attend several meetings at the school and at her own home," he said."She did attend several meetings at the school and at her own home," he said.