THE parents of a persistent truant from Burnley have been given a final warning over their son's continued absences from classes.

Education welfare bosses have twice taken William Hughes and his former partner Tracy Padgitt to court over the non-attendance at school of their 15-year-old son.

Reedley Magistrates' Court heard that the couple were fined £150, with £50 costs, last May after Adam was repeatedly absent from Unity College, formerly Towneley High School.

But, after the teenager was missing from classes from June 14 to July 19, and then again after the summer holidays from September 3 to October 12, county council education chiefs brought the parents back to court again.

Hughes, of 45, of Daneshouse Road, Burnley, and Padgitt, of Clegg Street, Burnley, each admitted failure to ensure the attendance of Adam at school, between the given dates.

Mr Hughes told magistrates that his son refused to attend Unity College, saying: "The teachers are picking on him because he is dyslexic.

"Just because he could not spell motorbike they called him stupid."

The court heard that inquiries had been made about Adam attending another school. But Mr Hughes and Ms Padgitt claimed Towneley staff were reluctant to agree to such a move.

Ms Padgitt added: "He has got dyspraxia and is a right funny child. He has tempers and just kicks off for no reason."

But education welfare officer Lillian Wont told the court: "He does have a statement of special needs which can be met at Towneley."

Magistrates fined the couple, who are on benefits, £50 each, and both must pay a £15 victim surcharge also.

The bench told the pair: "I can tell you that we did look at a community penalty, as we have checked up and it is something which could be imposed.

"Taking everything into account we have decided not to impose that sentence but we want to stress to you that should be back before the court for a third time, that is what will happen."

The court heard Adam had been offered an alternative whereby he could attend Towneley for two days and attend for three days at a local college for training. But he had rejected this option.