Jail threat for truants' parents

Two parents have been given suspended jail sentences for failing to send their children to school in Darlington.

The parents, from different families, were this week each given a two-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

The borough council said the parents had failed to co-operate with officers to improve their children's attendance at school.

It is the first time a suspended jail sentence has been imposed in Darlington for a child's failure to attend school.

The probation service will now supervise each parent for 12 months and if their child's school attendance does not improve they will return to court and serve the sentence.

A council spokeswoman said: "We want to work with parents to make sure both they and their children understand the importance of going to school but in cases where parents will not support us we will take action against them.

"Going to court is not an easy option for us but where children's education and future is at risk we will do everything in our power to make sure they go to school."