Schoolboy Kieran Matthew, who has now been handed a community sentence after leaving his teacher unconscious in a pool of blood, gave a twisted five-word response shortly after throwing her like a ‘ragdoll’
A teenager who battered his teacher so savagely that she was left permanently disfigured uttered a sick five-word excuse following the horror attack.
Kieran Matthew became “agitated and heightened” after refusing to get changed separately from other pupils before a PE class; a measure which had previously been agreed upon due to the 17-year-old’s aggressive behaviour. The teacher in question had been regarded as a “safe” person for Matthew, having previously de-escalated incidents involving the schoolboy at Dundee’s St Paul’s Academy.
However, on this occasion, the now 18-year-old launched a vicious attack as the teacher tried to leave the room, with a fellow staff member recalling how she “appeared to be like a ragdoll flying through the air”.
Matthew, who has now been handed a community sentence, pleaded guilty to seizing the teacher’s neck and body, throwing her to the concrete floor, causing her to strike her head, and rendering her unconscious.
Pupil, 17, threw ‘stupid cow’ teacher head-first to ground like a ‘rag doll’
Detailing the shocking incident, which occurred on March 22, 2024, fiscal depute Laura Bruce stated: “She recalls him gripping her in a rugby-style grip with her arms pinned to her sides and the next thing she felt was the horrific impact of her head striking the floor.”
Left briefly unconscious in a pool of blood, the teacher, who had “dedicated her life to vulnerable school children”, left a bloody handprint on the wall as she tried to stand, her desperate screams prompting staff to rush to her aid. Blood was seen pouring from her head.
Mrs Bruce continued: “Another teacher had witnessed the accused lift her completely off her feet, throwing her to the floor deliberately and landing headfirst. Another said she appeared to be like a ragdoll flying through the air.”
Shortly afterwards, Matthew, who has ADHD, sat at the teacher’s desk and repeatedly made the following chilling claim: “The stupid cow deserved it.”
Sentencing Matthew yesterday, Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith said: “She has dedicated her life to vulnerable school children such as you. You have robbed her of her career as she has been unable to go back to school due to panic attacks, nightmares and night terrors as a result of this assault.”
Although the offence merited 18 months in custody, the Sheriff clarified that this would be reduced following Matthew’s early guilty plea. Solicitor Theo Finlay, defending Matthew, told the court: “He has had longstanding issues managing his emotions.
“It is likely he was already in a heightened condition. He experiences nightmares and requires to be medicated. He described becoming agitated. The teacher moved others away, which made him feel more agitated and singled out. At school, he felt intensely disliked and frequently provoked by his peers.”
It was ordered that Matthew be placed under social work supervision for a three-year period, and that he must attend a mentoring course including anger management, and adhere to a one-year curfew.
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