The case was heard at the magistrates court in Llanelli

Social workers from Carmarthenshire Council met with the boy - who has now apologised for his absence and pleaded for his mother's return from prison - on Wednesday.

The council has been criticised by the family because they believe there should have been expert help available for the boy after the jailing.

An appeal by the mother, who was jailed for 28 days on Monday, is due to be heard at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday - her solicitor has said he was surprised by how quickly the court date had been arranged.

She is believed to be the first parent in Wales to be imprisoned under tough new truancy rules.

I have never really liked school, but I'll go everyday if she comes back - that's a promise Truant teenager

Her son - who cannot be named for legal reasons - had failed to attend any lessons at his comprehensive in Llanelli for three months, but has now said he would return.

"I am very sorry and sad it is all my fault," he said.

"My mother has gone to prison and I am the one not going to school.

"I just want her to come back - it is not her fault - she is not a criminal.

"I have never really liked school, but I'll go everyday if she comes back - that's a promise."

Council care

The teenager's father said he and his ex-wife had been taking him to school only for him to leave by another door.

And he has accused officials of failing to arrange proper care for his son during the prison sentence.

"Not one person has got in touch with me from any department," he said.

But the council said it had contacted the boy's grandmother and aunt in order to arrange care.

On Monday, the council said it had made repeated efforts to help the woman - all to no avail.

She had, in fact, appeared in court several times before because of her son's absences from school.

The prosecution comes just a week after a mother from Cambridge was given a six-week sentence for failing to send her 16-year-old son to school.

And in May last year, 43-year-old Patricia Amos from Oxfordshire, was jailed for 60 days after she failed to stop her children playing truant.