BUCKINGHAMSHIRE County Council is to blame for head injuries suffered by Simon Gates when he fell over in a playground as an eight-year-old, the High Court ruled on Wednesday.

Simon, now 14, of Reynolds Walk, Chesham, sustained a fractured skull when he tripped over a three-inch-deep hole at Greenway County First Primary School, Chesham, in June 1992 He has 'cognitive and behavioural impairment' and a disabling weakness down his left side.

Judge Mr Justice Butterfield said he was satisfied the council failed to take the care required by law, and that the worn area was a reasonably foreseeable danger to children. He said: "I am satisfied that the council are responsible for such injury, loss and damage as the claimant may prove to have arisen from his fall."

The county is considering what action to take next.

Unless terms are agreed, compensation will be assessed at another court.

A county spokesman said: "We will carefullly consider what the verdict means for us and what action we will take next."

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