THE father of a 12-year-old girl who did not attend school for 96 days in a row pleaded guilty to failing to secure the regular attendance at school of a pupil at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 11.

The man, who cannot be named, was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 court costs.

He and his wife had originally both been charged and pleaded not guilty but agreed that if he pleaded guilty the charges against her would be dropped.

Their daughter did not attend Birchwood Community High School from March 5 to May 25.

Her parents said in court that she had been so badly bullied she would scream when they took her to school.

"I had to take everything sharp out of her room because I was scared she would do something," the mother said.

The girl's parents said they had tried unsuccessfully to get their daughter moved to Woolston Community High School.

The court heard that bullying is not considered a reason for missing school.

Lyli Pattyson, prosecuting for Warrington Borough Council, said that their investigation into the bullying claims revealed that the claims were unfounded.

The girl's parents had failed to meet with the school or education welfare officers to try to solve the problem.