Judge to rule in appeal over schoolgirl's death

Jessica Lawson, 12, was swimming in a lake in France during a school trip when a pontoon overturned.

A judge at a court of appeal in France will consider overturning the acquittal of three British teachers after the death of an East Yorkshire girl on a school trip.

Jessica Lawson, 12, who attended Wolfreton School near Hull, was swimming in a lake near Meymac when a plastic pontoon overturned, during the trip in July 2015.

Two years ago, teachers Chantelle Lewis, Daisy Stathers and Steven Layne were cleared of the equivalent of manslaughter by gross negligence.

That decision has been examined at a hearing in Limoges this week and a verdict will be delivered on 17 July.

Clockwise, from top left: Teachers Steven Layne, Chantelle Lewis and Daisy Stathers, along with lifeguard Leo Lemaire, were cleared of wrongdoing in 2022

The lifeguard on duty at the time of the incident, Leo Lemaire, and the French local authority could also have their acquittals overturned.

Prosecutors at the appeal on Thursday recommended suspended sentences for the three teachers and Mr Lemaire. They also proposed a financial fine for the town of Liginiac.

An investigation was told that 24 children, aged 12 to 17, had been swimming when the incident happened and Jessica was found beneath the pontoon. She died in hospital.

The original trial at the Palais de Justice in Tulle found there was "no evidence" to show that Ms Lewis, Ms Stathers and Mr Layne, or lifeguard Mr Lemaire, were negligent.

The BBC has approached the Consortium Academy Trust, which runs Wolfreton School, for comment.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]