Ampleforth College has sacked a male member of its non-teaching staff after students accused him of offering them drugs.

A spokesman for the prestigious Roman Catholic public school, near Helmsley, said two pupils had reported being offered drugs by an adult.

Police had been informed and were investigating the matter. The college had also been carrying out its own inquiries and a worker had been dismissed.

But the former employee, who does not wish to be identified, today protested his "total innocence."

The man told the Evening Press that he believed the college had been unfair in dismissing him before the complaint had been fully investigated.

He said he had initially been suspended on full pay, and he had accepted this as a fair action, but felt dismissal had been premature.

The allegations were false, he said, and he was very upset by the college's actions.

He said seven police officers using a dog had raided and searched his home, causing distress to his wife. The officers had found nothing.

He added that he had no criminal convictions.

But the college spokesman said: "From the college's point of view, they have investigated the situation.

"Their investigations are continuing, but in their view there is sufficient information, received from all sides, to justify the decision to dismiss him immediately."

He stressed that no pupils had been suspended over the incident, adding: "We have every reason to hope that will remain the case."

Detective Sergeant Ian Fieldsend, of Malton CID, confirmed that a warrant had been executed at an address and there was a "negative result". He added that the investigation was continuing.

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