§ 16A.—(1) If a parent of a child with respect to whom an education supervision order is in force persistently fails to comply with a direction given under the order he shall be guilty of an offence.
§ (21) It shall be a defence for any person charged with such an offence to prove that—
- (a) he took all reasonable steps to ensure that the direction was complied with;
- (b) the direction was unreasonable; or
- (c)he had complied with—
- (i) a requirement included in a supervision order made with respect to the child; or
- (ii) directions given under such a requirement, and that it was not reasonably practicable to comply both with the direction and with the requirement or directions mentioned in paragraph (c).
§ (3) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level three on the standard scale.