IN A bid to crack down on truanting children, seven parents have been prosecuted by Bexley Council for not ensuring their children attend school.

They all appeared before Bexley magistrates where they received large fines for failing to pay fixed penalty notices issued by Bexley Council.

One parent, Tina Clent, of Martins Close, Bexleyheath, received 100 hours' community punishment and was ordered to pay £150 costs for a further prosecution in relation to truanting.

Lin and Paul Caplin of Maylands Drive, Sidcup; Janine Kelleher of London Road, Crayford; Dorothy Queen of Edington Road, Abbey Wood; Samantha Riley of Inglewood Road, Belvedere, and Joanne Rea of Barnfield Road, Belvedere, were each fined £500 with £90 costs. Yvonne Brinkler of Austin Road, Erith, was fined £75 with £25 costs.

Before a penalty notice is issued, parents are given 15 days to improve their child's school attendance, with no unauthorised absences from school.

If the truanting continues, a penalty notice is issued for £50 if paid within 28 days, after which it rises to £100.

Bexley Council's cabinet member for schools, Councillor Simon Windle said: "I hope these sentences will send a clear message to parents who feel it is acceptable to keep a child away from school for invalid reasons. Every child is entitled to an education."