Crosby head teacher in court over pupil roof fall

A head teacher has appeared in court on Merseyside, accused of breaching health and safety legislation after a pupil fell through a school roof.

John Summerfield is alleged to have taken a group of students on to the roof of Sacred Heart Catholic College, in Crosby, in August 2008.

Joel Murray, 18, fractured his skull when he fell 8ft (2.5m) through a skylight, the court heard.

Mr Summerfield, 63, did not enter a plea at South Sefton Magistrates Court.

He is charged with breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to take reasonable care for the safety of his students.

Mr Summerfield, of Moorland Avenue, Crosby, was released on unconditional bail, to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 8 June for a plea and case management hearing.

The pupil also broke his ribs, perforated an eardrum and suffered permanent damage to his eye in the fall, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.