Met admits guilt over pool deaths

Gameli Akuklu was pronounced dead at the scene

The Metropolitan Police has pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of two north London schoolboys who died in a police swimming pool.

At the Old Bailey, the Met pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety Act, after the deaths of Gameli Akuklu, 14, and William Kadama, 15.

The pair had been visiting the Peel training centre in Hendon, north London, in July 2002.

Barnet Council has pleaded guilty to the same charge.

The force will be fined along with Barnet Council at a later date.

The court heard that William, from Grahame Park, and Gameli, from Colindale, were at the training centre as part of a youth scheme organised by Barnet Council and the police.

Both seen at the bottom of the deep end after a lifeguard was called to deal with another child involved in a minor accident.

Chance of survival

Gameli was dead and William died a week later without regaining consciousness.

It is unclear how the boys drowned, the court heard.

William Clegg QC, prosecuting, said at least two and possibly three lifeguards should have been on duty.

"During the event of an emergency, one lifeguard could not be expected to cope," he said. "No one can say if there were an added number of lifeguards both boys would have been rescued.

"But you know on a statistical basis they would, however, have a better chance of being rescued."

Keith Morton, representing the Met, expressed the police's condolences to the boys' family and friends for their "grave loss".

He said: "Any death is tragic but of course none more so than that of your two young children."