A Manchester grammar school has taken action against a pupil after an 11-year-old boy was allegedly pushed into a frozen pond when he refused to walk over the ice for £20. The incident, which was reported to police, happened just 24 hours after a tragedy in the West Midlands which claimed the lives of four boys after they fell into an icy lake.
The victim was walking home from William Hulme Grammar School in Whalley Range, on Monday when he and a friend stopped to skim stones across a frozen duck pond in Alexandra Park.
The victim's father said: "A year 11 pupil, aged 16, from his school came up to them. He dared my son to walk across the ice on the pond, and offered him £20 to do so. He refused."
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The father added: "The boy then picked up my son and threw him over the fence surrounding the pond. He tumbled down a steep bank onto the frozen ice.
"As he stood up the ice started creaking and he went through it. The freezing water was up to his belly button. The pupil who did it just stood there laughing with a group of his mates and walked off. My son's friend was screaming for help.
"My son eventually managed to climb out and make his way home. When he came home and told me what had happened we returned to the school and found the boy inside the office talking to a teacher as if nothing had happened.
"I cannot believe that he could show no remorse and leave by son in that situation. The pond is deeper further in and the outcome could have been far worse."
The father took his son back to the school and spoke to staff who reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police.
A GMP officer has spoken to the father.
"They explained that actions by the school took precedent over any criminal investigation," he explained. "I have since spoken to the Principal at the school, who has told me the boy in question will not be returning to the school, and that they have imposed the highest possible sanction.
"I do believe that this incident was influence by the tragedy in Solihull. I would urge all paents to tell their children not to go anywhere near frozen lakes. I am pleased the school has taken action. My son has gone back to school but he was shaken up by what happened."
A spokesperson for William Hulme Grammar School said: "We are aware of an incident which took place outside of school involving two of our students. Whilst we would never comment on individuals, this has been taken very seriously and dealt with appropriately in line with school policies."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "GMP spoke to the father and he has stated he is happy for the school to deal with the incident."
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