PARENTS of 14-year-old truant Martin Bryant say they are "being held to ransom" by their violent and destructive son.

Geoffrey and Julie Bryant of Elliot Drive, Marlow, answered charges of failing to ensure their son's school attendance, when they appeared before Wycombe Magistrates' Court, on Wednesday.

Magistrates heard that, despite the couple's best efforts, Martin was present for only three out of a possible 65 classes at Great Marlow School, in Bobmore Lane, between September 7 and September 22, 2004.

Alan Marshall, Buckinghamshire County Council's education welfare officer, who brought the prosecution, said that Martin was a very determined child who could become violent when challenged.

Mr Marshall told the magistrates: "Martin has little regard for his parents wishes or the consequences of his actions. He will punch out and kick if asked by his parents to go to school.

"On the occasions when they withdraw his privileges for not going to school he will resort to destroying their personal belongings, smashing tables and chairs and punching holes in walls."

Mr Marshall said that the council was embarrassed to have to prosecute the parents, who they had found to be extremely co-operative.

And he admitted that there was nothing more that the parents could do to make their younger son attend classes.

But he said that it would send out the wrong message to Martin if they withdrew from the proceedings.

Magistrates told the parents: "We believe you are very good parents who have made every effort to avoid committing this offence.

"We know your elder son attends school regularly but Martin is very determined not to go to school."

Magistrates gave Mr and Mrs Bryant a 12-month conditional discharge.

But the couple were told that they could face possible imprisonment if Martin persists in playing truant.

Speaking exclusively to the Marlow Free Press after the trial, Mr Bryant said: "He's holding us to ransom.

"We don't know what to do about it. We are just broken."

Mr Bryant, a double-glazing firm worker who takes home £250 a week, said that Martin's behaviour has had a dramatic impact on family life.

Mr Bryant and his wife, an MS sufferer who earns £72 a week cleaning, did not celebrate Christmas because they were so worried about going to court.

Martin's elder brother Phillip has an exemplary school attendance record and is sitting his GCSEs at Great Marlow School.

The couple revealed that they have now organised private tuition for Martin after he refused to attend the pupil referral unit at the Grange School in Aylesbury for one morning a week.