THE mother of a persistent teenage truant was fined by magistrates yesterday.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted failing to ensure her 16-year-old son went to school.

Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court heard the boy had been absent from school 132 times without authority between September 3 and February 6.

Education workers arranged for him to spend three days at school and two on a sports placement but he failed to attend.

Magistrates fined the woman £60 with £80 costs