My brother accused of selling cigarettes at school

[Saarahaq]

Firstly, yes my brother has experimented with smoking and my mother found out and spoke with him about it. And from what i know of, he hasnt done it again. He got the cigarettes by stealing them from my dad's packet

At school, he is now in a 1 week isolation as he has been "caught" selling cigarettes on Friday. My brother denied the accusation and told them to search him if they did not believe him and they did, all the found was £30 (one £20 note and one £10 note) in his glasses case. We know that that money was from his birthday presents so he could buy sweets etc from the shop (yes i know £30 is a lot for him to take to school, i told him that it was dumb to take that much in to school).

They classed that as 'evidence' and said that a student told teachers that he was selling. I honestly dont believe that he is selling as when he was confronted with other problems (smoking etc) he confessed to them.

He says that he is innocent and i believe him. Also, last year, someone told the teacher that my other brother (2 years senior to the first brother in question) was a bystander in a situation (wrong place, wrong time) and they made him give a full police statement to the police about what he witnessed and who was involved (he was 13 and my parents did not give consent for this to happen so, of course, it was illegal and my dad kicked off with them and also involved the police with his complaint)

So, as you can see, i dont particularly trust this school 100% in terms. There will be a meeting with my mother and headmaster. I was just wondering could you share some advice with what she could do? Or i could do to help as i will be joining the meeting too (I'm 21)

In my personal opinion, putting him into isolation based on what some students say and finding money on him (no actual cigarettes) does not seem like substantial evidence especially for something that is essentially against the law and could affect him in the long run.

Sorry for the long post and im sorry if it appears all jumbled, i'm just pretty mad right now.

Thanks so much

[bloodyteenagers]

Surely if he had been selling cigarettes that day he would have had loads of change. Not notes. Unless they are
Also implying that he slipped out and cashed in all the change to notes.

[BarryTheKestrel]

When I was in school a cigarette sold for 50p. If he was selling at school he'd have a load of change, even with inflation I can't see kids paying in notes! As such I agree with PP that they are not only suggesting selling but that he went and changed the money into notes, during the school day. Which is ridiculous.

They can't place someone in inclusion without any fact based evidence. Someone saying it without any evidence and some money are not proof that he was doing it. If he'd been caught by a teacher or other member of staff it would be a completely different matter. What they are saying is one child's 'story' is more important to them than your brothers clearly pointed out facts.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Does your brother have any idea why a student would make up such a lie about him? I don't see what they would have to gain from that?

It is possible he had a couple of your dad's fags on him and sold one to a friend on another occasion? Obviously it's against school rules but it's not crime of the century either.

It's difficult but you know your brother so will have to judge for yourself if he is being entirely truthful. Just explain to the school the facts you have and point out that there is no evidence for them to accuse him.

It is essentially his word against another boy's.

[Saarahaq]

Bloodyteenagers and Barrythekestral: (sorry i dont know how to quote you both in the same post) thats exactly what i thought! I think they might be implying that the kids bought whole packets for £10 each

I genuinely think that he's just being used as a scapegoat.