Truancy pair get suspended terms

A couple have been given four-week suspended prison sentences after two of their children played truant from school for nearly a year.

Michael Temperton and his wife Veronica, both 44, from Kings Lynn, Norfolk were also ordered to do 150 hours community service.

They admitted failing to ensure the children's attendance at school.

Norfolk council said education officials had done everything to help the Tempertons.

Mother overwhelmed

"We did everything we possibly could to try and work with the family," said David Lennard Jones, the council's area director for children's services.

"All the while their children's education has suffered. They haven't been educating them at home and have made no effort to get them to school."

The court heard that both children - who for legal reasons cannot be named - had barely been to school during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Rhys Mardon, for Temperton, said he felt that his wife was responsible for bringing up their children and he described the couple's relationship as being one of "breadmaker and breadwinner".

Andrew Spence, for Temperton's wife, said: "She had become overwhelmed with all of the problems that got on top of her.

"Her attitude now is that she is motivated to ensure that all the children receive the education they should receive."

The court was told that it was hoped that the children would resume their education in the near future.