22 Aug 2011

Woman pleads guilty over student truancy

8:33 pm on 22 August 2011

The elderly guardian of a school student has pleaded guilty to a charge relating to the child's repeated truancy.

The pupil was absent from her Wellington school 88 times between February and August last year, a district court was told on Monday.

The charge relates to 46 of the absences, dating from 24 May to 18 August.

The Wellington District Court was told a truancy officer made four visits to the woman's home in March last year and the school sent her three letters asking to discuss the student's absences.

A social worker also became involved, but the girl's attendance did not improve and she was eventually enrolled in another school.

The case has been remanded until Tuesday when the judge will deal with an application for a discharge without conviction.

Orders are in place suppressing the name of the woman, the name of the student, the nature of their relationship and any other identifying details.