A mother was fined more than £700 after her child had 84 unauthorised absences from school over half the school year.

The pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attends Eastbury Comprehensive School in Barking.

Between January and May of this year, the child made just attended school just 54 days out of a possible 144, of which only six absences were authorised.

The 84 absences remaining were unauthorised because the parent failed to provide good reasons as to why her child was missing.

After home visits were made the council decided to take the case to the courts.

Proceedings were set for July but rescheduled to September 13 after the mother requested an adjournment, however she failed to attend the hearing and in her absence she was given a £600 fine with £160 costs to pay.

The council said the child now regularly attends school.

Over the last academic year, the local authority has prosecuted 33 parents and issued over 400 penalty notices at £50 each.