A WOMAN from Wrexham has ended up with a near £500 financial penalty for failing to ensure her child went to school.

Justin Espie, prosecuting at Wrexham Magistrates Court, said the child had an attendance between October 6, 2017 and March, 5 2018, of just 73.9 per cent, considerably less than the 95 per cent required by the Welsh Government.

The court heard how on one occasion a social worker went to visit the home, only to find the six-year-old playing outside on a bicycle.

Euros Jones, defending, said the mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had claimed the child was off school for a variety of reasons including flu, headaches and toothache.

Despite the mother's claims, the magistrates decided there was not a sufficient amount of evidence about the child's illness.

After being initially fined £60 for not sending her child to school, the fine then doubled to £120.

As these fines remained unpaid, the matter was referred to the court.

The mother was fined £150, ordered to pay court costs of £400 as well as a surcharge of £30.