Pauline Wheaton had previous convictions

Pauline Wheaton, 46, of Byron Square, Trumpington in Cambridge, in March pleaded guilty to failing to ensure her son Thomas Heeson, 16, attended Netherhall School in Cambridge.

On Wednesday she was sentenced by Peterborough magistrates.

At the earlier hearing, the court was told Thomas had not been to school this year and had attended on average just once a week over the past year.

Magistrates were told that it was the third time in the past two years that Wheaton had appeared in court accused of failing to send Thomas to school.

We only prosecute as a last resort - we have made several offers of support and help to this family over a long period of time Martin Smith, Cambridgeshire County Council

On previous occasions Wheaton had been given a conditional discharge and a 120-hour community service sentence - which she did not complete - after admitting failing to ensure Thomas's attendance at school.

Presiding magistrate Ray Palmer told her: "The message we are sending is this, 'Parents must send their children to school and make sure they have full-time education'."

Prior to the hearing, Wheaton told reporters her son had not been to school because she had a heart condition and he was looking after her.

'Thomas will go mad'

After the hearing Wheaton's other son, 19-year-old Aaron, said: "There were other options. I don't know why they wanted to send her to prison. I don't think it's fair at all. Thomas will go mad when he finds out."

Magistrates said Wheaton would serve three weeks of the sentence and be released on licence for the remaining three weeks.

Martin Smith head of Cambridgeshire County Council's education welfare service said after the hearing: "I did think the whole case is tragic particularly for the young man concerned.