A LEADING Merseyside private school was right to expel a pupil for allegedly being involved in drug deals, a judge ruled yesterday.
Merchant Taylors’ school, in Crosby, expelled 17-year-old Lloyd Ellis earlier this year after he admitted helping a fellow pupil deal cannabis.
But Lloyd’s parents, Mark and Karen, tried to sue the £8,100-a-year school for breach of contract, a claim His Honour Judge Christopher Tetlow dismissed yesterday.
Head teacher David Cook expelled Lloyd in March.
On two occasions, he allegedly drove another pupil – known only as Boy B – to buy cannabis.
He then drove him on to Boy C, a Year 9 pupil, who bought it. He also allegedly lent money to Boy B to buy the drug in the first place.
Boy B was also expelled, while Boy C and a Year 11 boy were suspended for one week.
Mr and Mrs Ellis, of Birkdale, appealed against the expulsion, but a panel of governors at the school upheld the decision.
In their legal bid, the couple said Mr Cook acted “disproportionately” by throwing out Lloyd, while only suspending two of the other boys involved.
