Teen expelled after knocking teacher unconscious at Burnley school

A SCHOOLBOY repeatedly punched his teacher in the head until she fell unconscious during a “nasty” classroom attack, a youth court heard.

The 15-year-old student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, launched the sustained assault on his teacher during a lesson at a Burnley high school.

He admitted throwing a book at the teacher’s face before punching her to the ground where she was struck with further blows which left her with cuts, bruises and loose teeth.

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The teenager was spared a custodial sentence but magistrates gave him a six-month referral order to work with Youth Offending Teams. He has since been expelled from his school.

Burnley Youth Court heard how the teacher noticed a problem arise with the pupil as he talked with a teaching assistant during a lesson on November 6th.

The boy claimed he could not do his work and swore at the teacher when she told him to complete the task.

He was told to leave the room for inappropriate language but walked to the front of the classroom where he launched the attack on the teacher.

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David Hartley (prosecuting) said the boy punched the teacher several times to the head, face and eye before she fell to the floor where she briefly lost consciousness.

He said: “It was clearly a nasty assault. The lady was going about her job, teaching a lesson, and she was attacked in this way.”

Krystal Savoy (defending) said the boy had admitted the assault in police interview. The boy claimed he had suffered a lengthy period of bullying at the hands of other boys who had been picking on him before the class.

Miss Savoy explained the teenager said he had “flipped out” in the incident which was out of character for him.

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She added: “He is 15-year-old. It is his first time in court as never had warnings or never been arrested. There have been no problems with him at school. His parents are shocked at his behaviour. He apologised in interview.”

Sentencing, magistrates said the attack was “serious” and had brought shame on his family but hoped he could now start afresh following the incident.

His family must pay £100 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge.

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