A student disciplined for his part in an occupation of the Bodleian Library has criticised Oxford University for imposing fines on hard-up Students.

Mr Gawain Little, who joined 200 students occupying the library in February, was fined £30 by the Proctors' Court.

But despite escaping the maximum fine of £65, he denounced the policy of fining students involved in anti-fees protests.

Mr Little, a third-year Maths student at St John's College, said: "I do think it's inappropriate to fine people when the whole point of the protest is student hardship. If I had been fined £65 I would not have been able to pay it.

"Instead of punishing its own students the University should be trying to protect them.

"The effect of tuition fee policy in higher education has been disastrous.

"Oxford University has not only been complicit in this system, offering no resistance and doing very little to protect its students, but has spearheaded a campaign for top-up fees. "

He said some students had complained about the way their cases had been dealt with by the Proctors' Court, with several students saying they were implicated by inaccurate statements.

So far about half of the 30 students charged with disciplanry offences have had their cases heard.

A spokesman for the University said: "Students who took part in the occupation of the Divinity School have been subject to disciplinary action by the Proctors on charges including unauthorised occupation of a University building, and causing disruption to teaching, study, or research.

"Students were given an opportunity to put forward a defence case, and could choose to be assisted or represented by a senior member of the University."

He said that minor offences against University regulations carried a maximum fine of £65 on each charge.