THE parents of a student who missed nearly two and a half months of school in a five-month period have been fined nearly £900.

The child attended Unity City Academy just 87 times out of a possible 156 between April 21 and September 23 this year.

During that period, the 12-year-old completed just two unbroken weeks in school, while only six of his absences were authorised by the school due to minor illnesses.

His unauthorised absences also included a week of holiday in the second week back after the summer break.

The school’s Education Welfare Officer tried to identify any issues that were affecting the student’s attendance and devise a plan to help him to establish regular attendance.

When there was no improvement, his parents Paul Brown, 38, and Karen Crozier, 41, of Kinross Avenue, Park End, were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices of £50, rising to £100 if not paid within 28 days.

The couple failed to pay their fines and were due appear before Teesside Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Although the pair attended court, they left before the case was heard and the matter was dealt with in their absence, with each defendant fined a total of £445 to be paid within 28 days.

Coun Mike Carr, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for children, families and learning, said: "Poor school attendance causes a child's education to suffer, they are unable to establish consistency in their learning and gaps are created, making it difficult for them to catch up.

"This is an extremely important period in any child’s life and regularly missing school for can have a damaging effect not only on examination results, but ultimately on career opportunities and life chances."