magistrates

Nineteen parents and guardians have appeared before magistrates in Norfolk charged with the unauthorised absence of their child from school.

The magistrates agreed that “given the state of the postal system” they'd give Khan the benefit of the doubt and another trial date would be set.

The most serious sanction is prosecution for fare evasion, which can land passengers with a magistrates court appearance and a serious criminal record.

In October, ministers announced magistrates would be given extra powers in an effort to ease record delays to criminal trials, enabling them to hand down 12-month sentences for a single offence.

“Doubling magistrates’ maximum sentencing powers will only increase pressure on reduced prison space, by speedily raising the much bigger sentenced prisoner population.”