Parents' bid to overturn Merchant Taylors' 'drug deal' expulsion fails

May 28 2009

Merchant Taylors

THE PARENTS of a schoolboy alleged to have been involved in drug deals today failed in their legal bid to overturn his expulsion from a top Merseyside school.

Lloyd Ellis, 17, was thrown out of Merchant Taylors', in Crosby, after he allegedly admitted helping another pupil sell cannabis.

It was claimed the boys sold the drug to fellow pupils and passed it on to their friends.

But the boy's parents tried to sue the school for breach of contract - a claim the judge sitting in Manchester today dismissed.

His Honour Judge Christopher Tetlow said Lloyd knew what he was doing was wrong and criminal.

Chair of governors at the £8,100-a-year school Leo Coligan said: "The school notes the judge's decision. We would like to say how sad it is that two of our pupils had to be expelled and we would like to wish both boys the best for the future and that they put this behind them and learn their lessons.

"The overwhelming feedback from our parents is one of support for the school with a firm line on drugs.

"In the future the school will continue educating our pupils on the dangers and the harm of getting involved with drugs but on the other hand with a firm line when unfortunate incidents do occur."