A COLLEGE whose health and safety policy was 'almost non-existent' when a pupil drowned during a school trip has been fined £5,000.

However, the case against teacher Andrew Barker, in charge when 17-year-old Yunus Ismail Moolla drowned at Gullet Quarry, Castlemorton, in July 2001, was dropped.

District Judge Bruce Morgan, who could have fined governors of Gloucester's Central Technology College up to £20,000, said a higher penalty could have been 'the final nail in the coffin of school days out'.

Sitting at Worcester Magistrates' Court on Monday, he heard that one pupil got into trouble while swimming and Mr Barker immediately banned all water activities. While preparing to leave, Yunus asked to wash his trainers, but instead went swimming and was soon in difficulties. Rescue attempts failed and he was later found dead.

Governors admitted breaching health and safety laws at a hearing in March. The Health & Safety Executive said that in 2001 the college's policies were inadequate.

David Wood, defending, said an investigation by governors had been honest and exhaustive and procedures were now up to scratch. He said Yunus's siblings continued to attend the college and one brother was still there today, indicating the family did not blame the school.

District Judge Morgan said the most 'excellent' safeguards would not have saved Yunus's life and that a large fine would only damage the education of current pupils. He ordered the college to pay court costs of £10,000 and a £5,000 fine.

Earlier, Mark Lister, defending teacher Andrew Barker, revealed his client's 'immense relief' at the decision to discontinue the case against him.