Pc on manslaughter charge

A police officer has been charged with the manslaughter of two children who drowned in a swimming pool at the Met's training centre in Hendon.

Pc Danny Phillips, 42, will appear in court next week over the deaths of the teenagers during a youth group trip in 2002.

The officer was the only lifeguard on duty at the pool with 30 children on a police-run summer activities course. He was helping a boy with a gash to his leg when Gameli Akuklu, 14 and William Kadama, 15, drowned.

Two girls alerted the officer to shadows at the bottom of the pool.

Phillips dived in and pulled the unconscious teenagers out. He gave them first aid, but they both died later in hospital.

After an independent Met inquiry by the anti-corruption squad, files were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who today announced they would press charges on two counts of mansalughter against Phillips.

He will also face a charge of contravening the Health and Safety procedures.

A sergeant, two members of staff, one of whom has subsequently retired, and five youth workers were also investigated for their role in the tragedy. The CPS recommended that no further action be taken against them.

The Met today called the incident a "tragedy".

A spokesman said: " Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of Gameli Akuklu and William Kadama.

"We recognise that today's announcement will cause their families additional distress and bring painful memories to the fore.

We continue to provide them with what support and help we can. This will undoubtedly be a difficult time for PC Phillips, his family and his colleagues."

PC Phillips is due to appear before City of London magistrates on 30 March.

Kadama, from Edgware, and Akuklu, of Colindale, were best friends. They were among a group of youngsters at the training college taking part in the summer scheme, called Splash, which the police ran with Barnet Council to keep children busy during the holidays.