Kerry Katona has charges dropped after being accused of failing to send child to school

7 October 2019, 11:06

Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona has had charges against her dropped after she was accused of failing to send one of her children to school.

The I’m A Celebrity winner, 38, was due to stand trial on Monday after allegedly failing to send the child to school between October 31 and November 28 last year.

But the charges were dismissed after "contemporary medical evidence" was presented to the court on Friday.

Ms Katona, of Crowborough in East Sussex, did not appear in person at Brighton Magistrates' Court today but was represented by her defence solicitor Jason La Corbiniere.

Mr La Corbiniere said: "This case was adjourned on the last occasion and set down for trial.

"Following some discussion on Friday the prosecution decided not to proceed with the case.

Prosecutor Gareth Jones said: "The medical evidence was provided to me by Mrs Katona's lawyer at lunchtime on Friday.

"We took the decision that the defence of reasonable justification was probably made out.

"It is a little frustrating as I prepared for a whole trial and received that evidence the weekend before the trial.

"This is the second time we got the defence evidence the Friday before the trial."

District Judge Tessa Szagun said: "I have no option other than to dismiss the matter in these circumstances."