SEVEN parents from Basingstoke have been handed fines so far this month for failing to send their child to school.

The parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had their cases heard at North Hampshire Magistrates' Court in June.

Fines totalling £3,148 were given to the seven parents, ranging from £402 to £634.

Four of the children who did not attend school were from Basingstoke junior or primary schools, and three were secondary aged school children.

One parent, from Popley, pleaded guilty to failing to send her child to junior school regularly from July 2019 to January 2020.

Another, from Black Dam, who was found guilty in her absence, failed to send her 14-year-old child to secondary school regularly for a week during 2019.

One parent, from Brighton Hill, received a fine of £634 for failing to send her nine-year-old son to school regularly for nine months during 2019.

The education penalty notices (England) regulations 2004 came into force on February 27, 2004.

The local authority, headteachers and the police can issue penalty notice for unauthorised absence from school, if it is reasonable for the school to expect the parent to ensure the child’s regular attendance.

The full penalty per parent per child is £60 if paid within 21 days or £120 if paid within 28 days.

However, if the notice is not paid in full by 28 days, legal action could be taken resulting in prosecution.