A STROUD mum has been fined after her child failed to attend secondary school for a week.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the young person involved, must pay nearly £200 after her child was regularly truant for a week in April.

Cheltenham Magistrates Court heard the case on January 3, although the defendant was not present.

An £80 fine was imposed with a £32 surcharge and £85 costs.

Her early guilty plea was taken into account, resulting in a reduction of the fine from £120 to £80.

The total of £197 must be paid by February 5.