Teacher cleared of trying to kill pupil with dumb-bell

LenaClaire

"A science teacher who bludgeoned an unruly pupil with a 3kg dumb-bell while shouting "die, die, die" was cleared yesterday of trying to murder the boy."

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/teacher-cleared-of-trying-to-kill-pupil-with-dumbbell-2159779.html

I am not sure whether to laugh or to cry at this article.

Is hitting someone over the head yelling "die, die, die" not an indicator you want them dead?

IvyTheTerrible

jujibee wrote: »

"A science teacher who bludgeoned an unruly pupil with a 3kg dumb-bell while shouting "die, die, die" was cleared yesterday of trying to murder the boy."

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/teacher-cleared-of-trying-to-kill-pupil-with-dumbbell-2159779.html

I am not sure whether to laugh or to cry at this article.

Is hitting someone over the head yelling "die, die, die" not an indicator you want them dead?

I would have thought so, yes!

TanG411

That is German for 'The, The, The'.

No case for murder in that regard.

schween

I guess they won't be taunting him again!

Wazdakka

Article wrote:

A science teacher who bludgeoned an unruly pupil with a 3kg dumb-bell while shouting "die, die, die" was cleared yesterday of trying to murder the boy.

Jurors took less than two hours to acquit Peter Harvey, 50, of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent. The four-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court was told the father of two teenage girls - one of whom has Asperger's syndrome - was a "caring and giving man" who was frequently tormented by pupils before the attack.

After the verdicts, Judge Michael Stokes QC, who had earlier questioned the decision to prosecute the teacher, said "common sense has prevailed". He said Mr Harvey would not be imprisoned or face a suspended jail term when he returns for sentencing on 21 May.

The teacher never denied assaulting the boy and his case hinged on the argument that, already mentally ill, he was driven to breaking point by an unruly class of badly behaved pupils at All Saints' Roman Catholic School in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, last July.

Mr Harvey, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent, told police he felt as if he was watching himself on television as he beat his 14-year-old victim twice about the head. The teenager suffered a fractured skull and spent five days in hospital but has since recovered.

The defendant returned to teaching shortly before the assault after having time off for stress, the court heard. He spent eight months on remand and was given bail just before the trial.

Judge Stokes said: "Common sense has prevailed now we have heard all the evidence. These are not easy cases and it is plainly in the public interest where an event of this nature takes place in a school that the jury representing the public should consider the level of guilt ... This court is looking to impose a community order which will assist you with the problems you have had."

Mr Harvey's lawyers said he had struggled to help his wife, Samantha, cope with a depressive illness that forced her to quit her own teaching job. He went to school on the day of the attack with the intention of taking his year nine class through a practical experiment on melting ice. The lesson descended into chaos when some pupils goaded Mr Harvey so that a girl who was secretly using a camcorder could record his reactions in a ploy to humiliate him. It was claimed the footage was meant to be passed around the school.

The teacher first kicked the bag of a girl who was playing with the window blinds in the classroom. Rex Tedd QC, for the defence, said Mr Harvey admitted that he should have summoned a senior staff member to help at this point, but continued with the lesson instead.

The 14-year-old boy, who was known for being disruptive in class, then began waving a wooden metre rule and was chased around the room by Mr Harvey, whom he told to "**** off".

Mr Harvey grabbed the student by the collar, dragged him into a side room and beat him with the dumb-bell, leaving him bleeding and semi-conscious.

In an interview with detectives, Mr Harvey said his memory of the incident was hazy but he thought he had killed the boy. He said: "I can't remember it too well but I do recall it was like watching it on television, like it was not actually happening to me. I can remember the boy saying '**** off' and when that happened I was not really there.

"We went through the door into the prep room and I remember standing over him with this metal weight and I remember hitting him twice. Something happened and I'm sure I dropped it. I remember feeling really peaceful."

Explaining how he saw his reflection in a screen while awaiting questioning at a police station, Mr Harvey added: "It was me but it was horrible me. I wanted to destroy it but I couldn't get my hands up so I headbutted it. I just kept seeing the boy's head, with me hitting it twice. I kept seeing it all the time and I thought I had killed him."

Mr Tedd told jurors that by the time of the assault, Mr Harvey was in such a state he could not have intended to kill or seriously harm the pupil.

During the trial, a former pupil who appeared as a character witness described Mr Harvey, who had taught at All Saints' for 16 years, as a talented and enthusiastic teacher. Caroline Frith said he had inspired her to become a history teacher after she left the school in 2004. "He was a very good teacher in every aspect," she added. "He was incredibly charismatic and he commanded the respect of his students."

Chris Keates, leader of the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers, said after the hearing: "Any teacher who has been following [this case] will recognise that if you come together with such an explosive combination of events, circumstances like this can actually occur."

.

spinandscribble

charming, so as long as you've idiots in your class and your "mentally ill" you can beat them in the head with a weight? He doesn't even get a slap on the wrists. I keep looking for the part of the article where it says he's fired and cant be teaching again.

schween

spinandscribble wrote: »

charming, so as long as you've idiots in your class and your "mentally ill" you can beat them in the head with a weight? He doesn't even get a slap on the wrists. I keep looking for the part of the article where it says he's fired and cant be teaching again.

He's going to be sentenced for grievous bodily harm without intention to kill at a later date.

RichTea

Larkin91 wrote: »

That is German for 'The, The, The'.

No case for murder in that regard.

Phonetically at least it's also the Italian equivalent of C'mon or let's go! He was clearly just motivating his student. Well done sir.

bonerm

Larkin91 wrote: »

That is German for 'The, The, The'.

No case for murder in that regard.

I'm afraid not your honour.

In the case of Terwilliger vs Simpson (1993) it was shown that the "Die/The" defense can only be applied if the threat is presented in written form. Motive is clearly understood when phrase is spoken/screamed.

RolandIRL

the teacher was trying to show the principle of conservation of momentum...
i hit you with this dumbell, your head goes that way....

TheZohanS

Deja vu...

Sean Quagmire

Rex Tedd QC

What a name, I know who my lawyer will be when beat the **** out of some punk on the street

kelle

This would never have happened had that "victim" been a good student. He was disruptive and said "F**k off" to his teacher - he should not have been allowed in the school if he always exhibited such behaviour. His parents have a lot to answer for too.

There are no happy endings here.

gravityisalie

RichTea wrote: »

Phonetically at least it's also the Italian equivalent of C'mon or let's go! He was clearly just motivating his student. Well done sir.

:pac:

stovelid

Larkin91 wrote: »

That is German for 'The, The, The'.
.

Exactly.

Being penalized for having a stutter? Trust the Brits.

--LOS--

jujibee wrote: »

Is hitting someone over the head yelling "die, die, die" not an indicator you want them dead?

Maybe he was a Misfits fan

Fukuyama

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/teacher-cleared-of-trying-to-kill-pupil-with-dumbbell-2159779.html

Anybody else remember having a teacher like this? There were two in my school. One left the other is still there. Suprised he hasn't don something similar.

Court was right not to sentence him IMO.

squod

Dungbell? Don't you mean sh1tstick.

RolandIRL

already been done

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055898616

pajero12

Already been done
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055897991&highlight=hero

Edit:Been done twice!

brummytom

And a third time (well, the first): http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=61067212


I come from a family of teachers - my mom suffered from severe depression, and left the profession; and my dad only went back this week after 6 months of with stress/depression. My aunties and uncles are/were all teachers and have suffered the same.


People think teaching's easy. It's not by any means. I don't blame Peter Harvey at all; he'd just returned to work and the little scumbags deliberately wound him up - he wasn't in a stable frame of mind - the senior staff and the students should take responsibility.

RustyBeanTin

been done already

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...highlight=hero

OutlawPete

brummytom wrote: »

And a third time (well, the first): http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=61067212


I come from a family of teachers - my mom suffered from severe depression, and left the profession; and my dad only went back this week after 6 months of with stress/depression. My aunties and uncles are/were all teachers and have suffered the same.


People think teaching's easy. It's not by any means. I don't blame Peter Harvey at all; he'd just returned to work and the little scumbags deliberately wound him up - he wasn't in a stable frame of mind - the senior staff and the students should take responsibility.

When I was 11, me and two other kids were taken from a class from acting the bollox.

We were just outside the head's office and the principal (female) was shouting at us and we got a fit of the giggles and just couldn't stop.

Another teacher walking past in the corridor heard us and starting roaring and belting the heads of us.

We were all shocked and long story short, an ambulance was called and he was sectioned. He had a complete nervous breakdown.

I wouldn't be a teacher for love nor money, you'd need nerves of steel and the patience of a saint.

Tail Wagger

OutlawPete wrote: »

When I was 11, me and two other kids were taken from a class from acting the bollox.

We were just outside the head's office and the principal (female) was shouting at us and we got a fit of the giggles and just couldn't stop.

Another teacher walking past in the corridor heard us and starting roaring and belting the heads of us.

We were all shocked and long story short, an ambulance was called and was sectioned. Total nervous breakdown he had.

I wouldn't be a teacher for love nor money.

So thats where you got your handle from?

Honestly who in their right mind's could put up with a class of 13 - 18 year old lads with attitudes and big chips on their shoulders?... I certainly couldn't, I'd be afraid of myself and how I'd cope..

but good luck to those who do it!

Nuggles

I could never teach. Kids can be absolute bollocks.

I'd be beating them before the first break..

IvySlayer

I love how people are calling the kid a little prick, sure most of us were like that!

I was mainly a swot, though.

IvySlayer

OutlawPete wrote: »

When I was 11, me and two other kids were taken from a class from acting the bollox.

We were just outside the head's office and the principal (female) was shouting at us and we got a fit of the giggles and just couldn't stop.

Another teacher walking past in the corridor heard us and starting roaring and belting the heads of us.

We were all shocked and long story short, an ambulance was called and he was sectioned. He had a complete nervous breakdown.

I wouldn't be a teacher for love nor money, you'd need nerves of steel and the patience of a saint.

I bet you sat at the back of the class

Nuggles

IvySlayer wrote: »

I love how people are calling the kid a little prick, sure most of us were like that!

I was mainly a swot, though.

Oh no. Most weren't like that.

Those who were like that in my class are total bums now. With no future.

I think a good smack would have helped them out.

whiteboy

lol

OutlawPete

IvySlayer wrote: »

I bet you sat at the back of the class

Yes

Honest to God, you just reminded me.

When I was 16 & 17 I used to listen to the Gerry Ryan show at the back of the class

I just remembered that.

I had a radio in my pocket and I ran an in-ear headphone cable up my shirt and then down my sleeve.

I just put it in the palm of my hand and leaned on my elbow while staring at the blackboard or the teacher

brummytom

IvySlayer wrote: »

I love how people are calling the kid a little prick, sure most of us were like that!

I was mainly a swot, though.

I'm a little cunt in lessons, but I still know where to draw the line

starbelgrade

Dumbell hit with dumbell?

sponsoredwalk

The only way to stop kids from messing is;

A: Hold their attention.

Those teachers that made an otherwise barren curriculum interesting had our utmost respect (and still do).

B: Fear.

Those teachers who were absolute fúckwads had the fear of hades in our minds.

I don't see any other way to get a group of kids who
are forced to sit in a room 7 hours a day against
their will from rebelling...

IvySlayer

I remember people used to play Bollocks. One person would say bollocks quietly, then the next person used to have to say it louder and so on and so forth, off course I never took part

It is quite hilarious when you hear someone roaring BOLLOCKS and then looking around and everyones writing/reading very quietly.

Nuggles

sponsoredwalk wrote: »

The only way to stop kids from messing is;

A: Hold their attention.

B: Fear.

I knew teachers who had either one or both of these. There were still twats like that kid in the class.

Kids are fecking arseholes.

IvySlayer

sponsoredwalk wrote: »

The only way to stop kids from messing is;

A: Hold their attention.

Those teachers that made an otherwise barren curriculum interesting had our utmost respect (and still do).

B: Fear.

Those teachers who were absolute fúckwads had the fear of hades in our minds.

I don't see any other way to get a group of kids who
are forced to sit in a room 7 hours a day against
their will from rebelling...

Some teachers are just brilliant at keeping students we behaved. I remember Miss O'Neil, she was the devil. I mean it. One look, you melt. Her eyes instills fear.

Mr O'Sullivan, he was just cool. Chatty, funny, if he said shut up, everyone would. Others teacher...kind of struggled :P

Nulty

Jesus...this is an original story.

I can see where your coming from brummytom. It looks an easy job but I dont think I could handle it.

I really feel for everyone involved...theres no bad guy cause everyone lost more than they deserved in this story. At least noones dead though.

starbelgrade

Teaching can be a tough job, coz children can be little pricks & life can be hard when there are things happening in your personal life that you can't leave at the door when you enter the workplace.

However, beating a child over the head with a metal object & shouting "die, die, die", for whatever reason, is just a step too far.

Any teacher who lets kids constantly torment them is clearly unfit for the job & this case only proves that teachers need a lot more supervision & checks to see that they can carry out their duties without going beserk on a kid.

Dave!

Hey OP, this has already been done don't ya know!

Snickers Man

The thugs in the class were clearly out to wind him up. It also emerged in the evidence that they intended to film him in an agitated state with the intention of sticking the video up on youtube or some similar site.

Reckon they got more than they bargained for, eh!

Of course, one can't condone a teacher losing his rag and beating the crap out of some snotty teenager with a heavy blunt instrument. But maybe if he'd been allowed to cane the little reprobate, the little scrote wouldn't be cocky enough to tell him to **** off.

Spare the rod and pass the dumb bells.


Never did me any harm.

kumate_champ07

kelle wrote: »

There are no happy endings here.

you never know, maybe the kid had some sense knocked into him?

Dudess

Jesus Christ, no matter how much of a sh1t the kid was, no matter how stressed out the teacher was, it's not ok to hit a pupil repeatedly with a heavy object that could kill...

VinnyTGM

Serioisly, the kid was running around the room with a metre stick telling the teacher to fcuk off, I can only imagine what else he was constantly doing to torment the teacher as in every day, not to mention what the whole class were doing.

I'd say the kid got what he deserved.

If he was given a slap on the wrist, you would all be saying more should have been done.

Dudess

Slap on the wrist... repeatedly hit with a heavy object.

Miles and miles in between.

Stercus Accidit

Dudess wrote: »

Slap on the wrist... repeatedly hit with a heavy object.

Miles and miles in between.

Oh you are such a soft touch.

I was beaten around the head with a dumb-bell as a child and it didn't not do me no bad stuffs at alls.

Noreen1

starbelgrade wrote: »

Teaching can be a tough job, coz children can be little pricks & life can be hard when there are things happening in your personal life that you can't leave at the door when you enter the workplace.

However, beating a child over the head with a metal object & shouting "die, die, die", for whatever reason, is just a step too far.

Any teacher who lets kids constantly torment them is clearly unfit for the job & this case only proves that teachers need a lot more supervision & checks to see that they can carry out their duties without going beserk on a kid.

I think you'll find that there are some classes that every teacher dreads. If the dynamics of the class are such that there are enough disruptive pupils, then even the teachers will struggle ton maintain order.

Where classes like this exist, then teachers only option is to move troublemakers to another class. Even this solution can be denied them if class sizes are such that there is no room in the other classes.

The traditional remedy was to either beat them into submission, or expel them. "Modern" thinking is that the teacher is now a miracle worker, who can restore reasonable behaviour where parents and other teachers have failed to do so.

It seems to me that students who genuinely have special needs should have special needs teachers. The spoiled brats should be expellled. Period.

kelle

Dudess wrote: »

Jesus Christ, no matter how much of a sh1t the kid was, no matter how stressed out the teacher was, it's not ok to hit a pupil repeatedly with a heavy object that could kill...

TBH, I'm more horrified that this child could say "F-off" to his teacher and still be allowed into the school! I never once heard that being said to a teacher during my schooldays (we got a belt off a ruler for a lot less), and my 17-year-old babysitter tells me it doesn't happen in her school. Maybe I'm lucky to live in an area where parents actually do their job properly!

If a child is allowed to be so disrespectful during their schooldays then this will carry through into adulthood - and if they treat a future employer the same they won't hold a job!

twinQuins

kelle wrote: »

TBH, I'm more horrified that this child could say "F-off" to his teacher and still be allowed into the school!

You're more concerned about that than a grown man beating a child half to death?

When is it ever acceptable for an adult to beat a child like this?

kelle

Morkarleth wrote: »

You're more concerned about that than a grown man beating a child half to death?

When is it ever acceptable for an adult to beat a child like this?

If this child was removed from the school or had not behaved in such a manner, this would not have happened to him.

I don't think what the teacher did was acceptable, but he should have been getting support from senior staff or principal and this could have been prevented.

Jumpy

Morkarleth wrote: »

You're more concerned about that than a grown man beating a child half to death?

When is it ever acceptable for an adult to beat a child like this?

When he is ginger.








I kid, I kiiid

drakshug

Whilst being shocked at the teacher's reaction I can understand him. I left after 12 years teaching and I'm not a wuss by any means. I came so close to belting some of the wee f*********** a few times and usually took it out on desks etc. All it needs is one smartarse and the rest will follow. I would nip it in the bud but often had to go into colleagues rooms to sort out near riots. That plus the evening work and the ****e wages (abroad) made it impossible.