"PEOPLE need to know what these two people did and what we have been through."

Kath Walker, from Great Sankey, has been fighting for justice for her son for nearly four years.

He is a vulnerable adult with a learning difficulty - but he is also a champion swimmer with countless awards and medals to his name.

However, his outlook on life was altered forever after a trip to America with the Northwich-based swimming club Cheshire Penguins.

Andy O'Gara, a coach and the boyfriend of head coach Anne Calvert, argued with Mr Walker over lights not being switched off during the stay in Florida.

He admitted at a disciplinary hearing that he broke Mr Walker's nose, but despite the bleeding and his distress, neither Mr O'Gara nor Miss Calvert would allow him to see a doctor or phone home.

On his return, the swimmer and his mum, the club secretary, were indefinitely suspended without reason.

Mr Walker has been receiving extensive counselling since the incident and support from social services.

Kath Walker said: "It is very difficult for somebody with a learning disability to understand the law.

"We want closure but we want the public to know what happened. The police say they protect people with a disability but they didn't - if this happened again, would somebody else be protected?"

Miss Calvert and Mr O'Gara denied a series of allegations at a series of Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) disciplinary committee hearings between June and October 2005.

Miss Calvert was cleared of using inappropriate and intimidating language but she admitted: l Speeding while four vulnerable adults under her care were in the car l Selling counterfeit CDs, videos and DVDs to the disabled swimmers l Drinking at a dry' swimming gala l Administering medication without proper guidance Andy O'Gara denied punching Mr Walker in the nose but admitted causing the injury by restraint. He also admitted selling illegal CDs, videos and DVDs to swimmers.

His suspension was partially lifted and he was asked to carry out ASA training including a risk assessment'. Miss Calvert had her suspension lifted and was also asked to undertake training.

But, unhappy with the ruling of the panel's decision, the ASA launched an appeal.

Neither Miss Calvert or Mr O'Gara attended the hearing that followed on August 10, 2006, when the verdict was more damning.

Miss Calvert was found to have endangered lives with her speeding and administering non-prescribed drugs to swimmers without a first aid certificate.

The panel said Mr Walker's broken nose should have been inspected by a qualified medic.

Evidence relating to the row between Mr O'Gara and Mr Walker given in the original case by witnesses' was dismissed as hearsay. The coach was told by the panel to control his short temper' and inappropriate language' and told that he must request to enter changing rooms before going in.

Mr O'Gara was indefinitely suspended from club activities.

Miss Calvert had her suspension lifted, but was ordered that if she reapplied for registration, she would have to gain her qualifications and attend equality, discrimination and disability courses in consultation with the ASA legal department.

Inspector Nigel Wenham reviewed the case for Cheshire Police.

He said: "Abuse is obviously serious and unacceptable behaviour but it may not necessarily always be a criminal offence.

"The ASA has carried out a thorough investigation and these people have been made accountable for their actions."

A spokesman for the ASA confirmed that Cheshire Penguins is yet to re-affiliate with the governing body. Andy O'Gara is no longer at the club and Anne Calvert is no longer head coach, but is still a team manager'.

The Warrington Guardian spoke to Miss Calvert, who said she had carried out all the necessary training, but we were unable to contact Mr O'Gara.

Barry Hume, chairman of Cheshire Penguins, said: "It is disappointing that a number of allegations originally made more than three years ago against members of its coaching staff are once again being resurrected.

"The allegations were thoroughly investigated by the appropriate sports governing body and members were cleared of all the charges.

"All the conditions for the future actions of the club are being fully complied with."

Since the Walkers' battle, the ASA has produced a Vulnerable Adults Policy', which has been adopted by both the ASA and British Swimming.

ndocking@guardiangrp.co.uk