A NEWPORT woman faces the prospect of jail after her daughter failed to attend school on 171 of a possible 216 occasions, according to the city council.

Gail May, 35, of Duffryn, has been prosecuted three times previously for failing to send two other children to school between September 2006 and February 2008.

May appeared at Newport Magistrates Court yesterday for sentencing after failing to send a child to school between February and September 2009.

May was found guilty in her absence at a hearing in October after failing to turn up at court on two occasions.

Representing Newport City Council, Richard O’Sullivan, said: “I am pleased to see Miss May here on this occasion”, adding: “There is a serious risk of her being given a custodial sentence”.

Representing May, Mike Sage, said she failed to attend court previously because she didn’t receive two letters sent by the probation service. Sentencing was adjourned until December 16, so reports can be compiled.

The prosecution was brought by Newport City Council.

It relates to a daughter who had 171 school absences to her name out of a possible 216 between February 9 and September 25 2009.

In September 2006, May received a £100 fine and £75 costs and in February 2008, a £120 fine and £50 costs in prosecutions relating to the attendance of another daughter.

She also received an £80 fine and £100 costs in a prosecution relating to a son in February 2008.