Mum facing court for keeping daughter off school as girl recovered from CANCER #UK The shocked mother of a seven-year-old girl who battled cancer has been summoned to court for keeping her daughter off school when she felt ill. Kerry Capper, from Erdington, Birmingham, said she wanted to keep an eye on sick Libby Bennett when she complained of stomach pains. She kept her daughter – who was diagnosed with cancer five years ago – at home fearing the discomfort was a return of a tumour on her kidneys. But now she is being prosecuted for not sending Libby – who is still under the care of Birmingham Childrens Hospital – to Paget primary school. Kerry has been summoned by magistrates after failing to pay a £60 fine for keeping Libby at home. Birmingham Council said no reason was given for the absences and Miss Capper did not attend a subsequent meeting. Libbys cancer has not returned but she still needs regular check-ups. Furious Kerry told the BBC: Libby has woken up saying that shes got a sore stomach and I get scared. I want to keep my eye on her. The mothers legal team, Glaisyers solicitors, said the council was being heavy handed and inflexible. But town hall officials say they take a robust stance on unexplained absences from school. The council said the school had contacted Kerry inviting her to a meeting to talk through any issues and concerns. A council spokesman said: When there was still no response a penalty notice was issued and when this was not paid the matter was sent to magistrates. Kerry is accused of keeping Libby off school for seven days between January and March. She admitted not always phoning the school when Libby was off, claiming her mobile phone did not always have credit. And she said after being invited to a meeting, she went in on the wrong day and missed a second date which was accidental. Kerry added: I said apologies Ive missed that appointment. The teacher just said Im sorry mum, its getting sent to court now. Then I got a penalty notice of £60 but I couldnt afford to pay that at that time. Kerry is due at Birmingham Magistrates Court next month.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:36:12 +0000