POOLE parents who failed to send their 12-year-old to school have been fined.

The man and woman, who cannot be named, didn't ensure their son went to school on series of dates between January and April this year.

Although the child's mother admitted being the parent of a child of compulsory school age who was registered at a school but failed to attend regularly, the boy's father denied the charge.

He was convicted following a trial at Poole Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The mother was fined £266 and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £30 surcharge. The male defendant was fined £630 and ordered to pay a £63 surcharge and £500 costs.

By law, all children of compulsory school age - normally four to 16 - must receive a suitable full-time education. Parents are legally responsible for making sure they go regularly.