COURT: The mother of a child who failed to go to school between November 13 and November 29 last year has been fined £315. The woman, whose child cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to the allegation when she appeared before Swindon magistrates and was instructed to pay another £181 victim surcharge and prosecution costs.

COURT: A father whose two children were not at school between September 5 and 20 last year has been landed with an £843 bill. Swindon magistrates found the case proved in his absence after hearing that the boy and girl failed to attend. He was fined £330 on each count and ordered to pay an extra £183 in costs and victim surcharge.