COURT: Two Lawn Manor Academy parents were together fined £575 after magistrates found the couple had taken her daughter out of school over a week last June.

The 36-year-old mum and 41-year-old dad, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had pleaded not guilty to taking the pupil out of school without permission. But Swindon magistrates ruled the case proven in the couple’s absence.

The woman was fined £120 and told to pay costs of £110 and a £30 victim surcharge. The girl’s dad was fined £415 and must pay £220 costs and a £41 victim surcharge.