Disgraced student Katherine Rainwood has failed to persuade Oxford University to overturn its decision to expel her for cheating in exams.

Ms Rainwood, 22, resigned as president of the Oxford Students' Union in June, shortly after she was sent down. She had been accused of cheating in her politics, philosophy and economics degree by down-loading an essay she had written earlier on her computer.

It is thought she fled to Germany after she resigned. She had been living in Catherine Street, Oxford.

Her appeal was heard by a University disciplinary court.

A University spokesman said: "The court heard submissions on behalf of Ms Rainwood and the proctors. It dismissed the appeal.

"As far as the University is concerned this decision is the end of the matter. It hopes that Ms Rainwood and her family will now cease to be the centre of media attention."

She would not say if Ms Rainwood appeared at the hearing.

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