Met Police fined over pool deaths

Gameli Akuklu and William Kadama were best friends

The Metropolitan Police force has been fined £75,000 with £50,000 costs over the deaths of two boys who drowned in a police swimming pool.

Only one lifeguard was on duty when Gameli Akuklu and William Kadama, both 14, were found at the bottom of the pool in Hendon, north London, in 2002.

At an earlier hearing the force admitted failing in their duty of care under the Health and Safety Act.

Lifeguard Pc Danny Philips was cleared of the boys' manslaughter in June 2006.

Barnet Council was fined £16,500 with £10,000 costs after it earlier admitted failing to carry out a proper risk assessment of the use of the Peel Centre pool.

The [service] continues to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the boys who died Police spokesman

Gameli and William, who has been on a play scheme activity day, were pulled from the pool by a lifeguard after being discovered unconscious underwater.

Gameli, from Colindale, was taken to Northwick Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

William, from Grahame Park, was declared dead several days later when his life support machine was switched off.

Sentencing at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Bean said the Met's failure to provide a second lifeguard created "at least a material increase" in the risk of drowning.

"The safety of children taking part in schemes of this kind is of paramount importance," he said.

"Parents and guardians need to be confident that they are leaving their children in safe hands. No one would argue otherwise."

The pool was shut following the tragedy and police said it would remain closed indefinitely.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The [service] continues to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the boys who died and recognises that today's decision will bring painful memories to the fore."