PC faces boys' pool death charges

Gameli Akuklu was 14 when he drowned at the pool in Hendon

A police officer is facing charges of manslaughter after the deaths of two teenagers who were pulled unconscious from a swimming pool.

PC Danny Phillips, 42, of the Met's human resources directorate, may also be charged with breaching health and safety regulations.

Gameli Akuklu and William Kadama, both 14, were at the Met's facilities in Hendon, north London, in July 2002.

The PC has been summonsed to appear at City of London magistrates on 30 March.

Best friends

William from Grahame Park, near Edgware, north London, and his best friend Gameli, of Colindale, also in north London, were among a group of youngsters taking part in a summer activity scheme.

They were pulled from the pool by a lifeguard after being discovered unconscious underwater.

Gameli, a pupil at St Mary's Church of England School in Barnet, was taken to Northwick Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

William was declared dead several days later at Great Ormond Street Hospital after doctors decided to switch off his life support machine.

His parents, originally from Uganda, are both dead and the youngster, who attended Edgware School, lived with his aunt.

The Crown Prosecution Service recommended that no further action is taken against a police sergeant, two members of police staff and five civilian employees.