Mervyn Hardy vented his anger at Peterlee Magistrates' Court yesterday after three parents failed to attend to answer charges of not making sure their children are going to school.

Teresa Gray, of Beaumont Place, Peterlee, Gordon Downing, of Musgrove Gardens, Gilesgate, and Tracey Revell, of Aidridge Court, Ushaw Moor, did not turn up.

Mr Hardy said he was stunned by the parents' attitude.

He said: "The first half hour of today has been spent listening to cases where it seems fairly apparent that none of the people involved – apart from the children who know no better – give a damn about what is taking place."

He added: "Magistrates choose to speak out from time to try to get the severity of the matters across."

All three cases were proved in the defendants' absence and they were ordered to appear before the court next month for sentence.

Gray was charged with failing to that her 16-year-old daughter Tammy regularly attended Shotton Hall school between January 21 and May 15 this year.

The court heard that Tammy had only a 39.7 per cent attendance rate during this period, and 85 per cent of the absences were considered to be unauthorised.

Numerous visits had been made to the family home to discuss the matter but the child's attendance did not improve.

The court heard that Gray had previous conviction for failing to ensure her child regularly attended school.

In November last year she was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and £120 costs.

Gray was ordered to appear before the court on July 22 for sentence.

Downing was charged with failing to secure that his 15-year-old son Aiden regularly attended Dene Community School of Technology in Peterlee, between November 26 last year and April 18 this year.

The court heard that Aiden had a 22 per cent attendance rate during that period, and 94 per cent of his absences were considered to be unauthorised.

Education welfare officers made a number of attempts to contact Downing and discuss the matter but his son's attendance failed to improve.

Downing was issued with a £50 fixed penalty notice in February after his son's attendance continued to be unsatisfactory. This was not paid and court proceedings were brought.

Downing was ordered to appear before the court on July 22 to be sentenced.

Revell was charged with failing to secure that her 15-year-old regularly attended the pupil referral unit at Ferryhill between January 7 and May 13 this year.

She pleaded guilty by letter and will be sentenced next month.