8.—(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.
(2) 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 this paragraph.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.