A mother told a court she allowed her 12-year-old son to stay away from classes because he did not like going to school.

The woman, who lives in Brighton, said: "He does not like the school and when your child is turning on the waterworks I just think he can have another day off.

"I know I have neglected his education but I am such a softie at heart."

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of her son, was convicted in her absence at an earlier hearing of failing to send her son to school between January and March.

When she failed to appear at Brighton Magistrates Court a warrant was issued. She was arrested at home and bailed to appear yesterday.

The court heard the boy had not attended his secondary school once this year and the mother had failed to co-operate with education welfare officers.

There had also been problems with his attendance at junior school and the mother had a previous conviction for failing to send him to school.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports and a parenting order assessment and adjourned the hearing until July 9.