Why we prosecuted mother ‘who lied to get son into popular school’

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Mrinal Patel, 41, faces up to a year in jail or a £5,000 fine after putting her mother's address as her own. She has admitted that she gave her mother's address on the application but claimed this was because she had moved out of the home she shared with her husband because the couple were experiencing marital problems.

Mrs Patel was trying to get her son Rhys, five, into Pinner Park First School which received 430 applications for 90 places and is rated "outstanding" by Ofsted. "In January last year, I moved out to my mother's house," she said. "I had left my husband and had no intention of coming back so I put down my mother's address as my own and tried to get Rhys into Pinner Park.

"But three weeks later I was reconciled with my husband and moved back, without realising it would have a bearing on the application."

Harrow council is now taking court action after dismissing her argument. An official said: "We had to act because she repeatedly refused our attempts to discuss it. We have to defend the system. That is what led to us taking action."

Councils in London have warned of a shortage of 2,250 primary school places this September.