Teacher cleared over girl's death

Emma Farrar died during a weekly swimming lesson

A teacher from Blackpool has been cleared of the manslaughter of a four-year-old girl who drowned during a swimming lesson.

The judge told the jury at Preston Crown Court to find Pauline Mills, 55, not guilty, after legal submissions.

The swimming instructor, who is from Kirkham, had denied manslaughter.

Emma Farrar, a pupil with moderate to severe learning difficulties at Park School in Blackpool, drowned at Woodlands School in November 2001.

Emma went under the water during a period of free play at the end of the lesson.

I am absolutely disgusted. I am outraged that something like this has happened Samantha Ogden, Emma's mother

Her body was not discovered for 15 minutes.

Mrs Mills was also cleared of health and safety breaches, along with Keith Berry, the former headteacher at Park School.

The case against them collapsed when the prosecution offered no further evidence.

Blackpool Borough Council, which has already admitted exposing people to health and safety risks, is due to be sentenced on 21 October at Preston Crown Court.

'Very tragic case'

Emma's mother, Samantha Ogden, was unhappy with the court's decision, saying: "How can a little girl go to school and die during a swimming lesson, and nobody is to blame?

"I am very surprised by the verdict at court. It is all too much to take in at the moment.

"I am absolutely disgusted. I am outraged that something like this has happened."

Speaking outside court, Nicholas Braslavsky QC, counsel for Mrs Mills, said: "It has been very traumatic for Mrs Mills.

"She had devoted her life to teaching swimming and I just think she wants to go home."

Det Insp Peter Broome, who led the Lancashire Police investigation, said: "This was a very tragic case for everyone concerned."