Kerry Katona facing jail after failing to address ‘children’s truancy’ in court

Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona could be facing a prison sentence after she failed to appear in court to address allegations that one of her five children are ‘truant’ and ‘not attending enough days at school’.

The 38-year-old has been accused of failing to ensure one of her kids turns up at school on a regular basis and was asked to face a judge to explain their low attendance rate.

Kerry was due to attend Brighton Magistrates’ Court yesterday but her with her failing to do so, a new date and letter will be sent, warning the Celebs Go Dating star she could be tried in her absence and a prison sentence could be handed down.

Her absence from court was due to a prior engagement in Scotland, many miles from her East Sussex home.

She told her 377,000 followers about the situation, writing: "I have been booked for a paid appearance in Scotland for which members of the public have already paid."

This didn’t wash so well in court and MailOnline has reported that prosecuting lawyer Gareth Jones told those present that, "It is an imprisonable offence. She didn’t provide any evidence of the engagement.

"But, as she is a media personality, there probably is some truth in it. If she doesn’t attend on the new date, we will seek to prove in absence and seek a warrant."

Kerry was advised that if she skips the next hearing, then she could be liable to face time in jail.

It is not the first time that The I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winner has faced charges of this nature.

In 2017, Kerry was accused of taking her family on holiday during school time and then failed to pay a fine for the unauthorised trip to Barbados.

Following that hearing, which is coincidentally at the same court, Kerry wrote on Instagram: "Just to clear this whole thing regards to the children going away on holiday in February this was not me. Their dad took them away to Barbados. The matter has all been sorted."

It didn’t seem to be an issue that was praying on Kerry’s mind though, as she celebrated her daughter Heidi’s 12th birthday on Instagram .

The ‘Whole Again’ singer also revealed that she was looking to get inside her mind, as she posted a pic of three self-help books.

Captioning the post, Kerry showed her intentions for the coming weeks, by writing: "Knowledge is power! Educate yourself… follow your dream! Always trying to be a better version of myself"

It looks like she may need some books on law as well, if she fails to show at the next hearing.

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