A TEENAGER has lost his fight for compensation after his leg was broken in a tackle by his rugby teacher.

Stephen Franklin, 18, claims he was injured in a tackle by his school rugby coach Gordon Dunn, in September 1996, when he was at Heaton Manor School, Newcastle.

Mr Franklin sued Newcastle City Council for damages.

Newcastle County Court heard that Mr Dunn had fallen on top of Mr Franklin after the collision and two other boys piled on top of him, thinking it was a ruck.

However, Mr Dunn claims he took up a braced position to act as a "crash pad".

Mr Franklin, from Heaton, Newcastle, was claiming £4,500 for negligence.

However, Judge Richard Lowden dismissed the claim, saying Mr Dunn had not done anything obviously dangerous.

He said: "I am very sorry the claimant was injured in this case, it was a most unfortunate accident, but, I am afraid, in my judgement it was no more than that.