
Pupil threw 'stupid cow' teacher head-first to ground like a 'rag doll'
Kieran Matthew left his teacher unconscious in a pool of blood at St Paul's Academy in Dundee last year after he came 'agitated and heightened' for refusing to change separately from pupils in PE
A 17-year-old pupil threw his teacher head-first onto a concrete floor like a "rag doll" before putting his feet on her desk, saying the "stupid cow deserved it."
Kieran Matthew has been handed a community sentence after he left the woman unconscious in a pool of blood at St Paul's Academy in Dundee in March last year. Dundee Sheriff Court heard how the teacher had been left with an "extensive, significant scar" on her head following the horrific attack.
The now 18-year-old had refused to get changed separately from other pupils before a PE class when he came "agitated and heightened."
The measure had been in place for Matthew following previous aggression towards other pupils. He was accompanied by the teacher, who was deemed a "safe" person for him after previous de-escalating incidents before.
However, when she tried to leave the room, Matthews pounced on her. Fiscal depute Laura Bruce said: "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."
The teacher was left briefly unconscious before she made a bloody handprint on the wall as she attempted to stand. Staff quickly rushed over to her after she screamed, with blood running down her head.
Mrs Bruce added: "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."
Matthew then sat at the teacher's desk and repeatedly claimed "the stupid cow deserved it." The teen, who has ADHD, pleaded guilty to seizing the teacher's neck and body, throwing her to the floor, causing her to strike her head, and rendering her unconscious.
Matthew admitted the assault was to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and the danger to her life. 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." The offence merited 18 months in custody, according to the Sheriff.
However, he said it would be reduced following an early guilty plea. Solicitor Theo Finlay, defending, said: "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."
Matthew was ordered to be under social work supervision for three years, must attend a mentoring course including anger management, and be placed on a one-year curfew.

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Scottish Sun
36 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
My chronic back pain was dismissed as ‘anxiety' – then my penis went numb & I was left on brink of total paralysis
Mark was left unable to walk and unable to pee for 12 hours before he was diagnosed with a little-known medical emergency, which left untreated, leads to permanent damage PURE AGONY My chronic back pain was dismissed as 'anxiety' – then my penis went numb & I was left on brink of total paralysis AS a dad-of-three and manager of a busy butcher's shop, Mark Doe lived a normal life, keeping active and spending time with his kids. But all that changed when he began experiencing excruciating lower back pain. 5 Mark Doe lived a fairly active lifestyle as a dad of three and manager of a butcher's shop Credit: Mark Doe 5 But earlier this year, he was found to have Cauda Equina Syndrome, which almost left him paralysed Credit: Mark Doe The 36-year-old from Swindon, Wiltshire, was 34 when a painful set of symptoms began. He started suffering pain across his lower back, pins and needles in his lower extremities, a constant ache and weakness down his left-hand side. 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Unexpected everyday habits that could be causing your back pain But Mark's symptoms became worse. He says: "I was in pain daily in my lower back and legs. The pins and needles became a daily occurrence and I would sometimes feel numbness down my legs. "I had to use a walking aid on my worse days." 'Docs told me symptoms were anxiety' Mark made another appointment to see a neurologist - but this time was told his symptoms were related to anxiety. "I'm on medication for my anxiety and ADHD," he says. " I told the doctor my symptoms and he discharged me saying it's all my anxiety, despite looking at the previous scan I had a year ago. "He didn't send me for another scan, just upped my mental health medication. "I felt really let down and lost, and thought I just had to put up with the symptoms I had." But just three months later, Mark suffered a terrifying episode of lower back pain that nearly left him paralysed. It was very bad, I couldn't move with the immense pain. 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'Could have been paralysed' Once Mark reached the hospital, doctors suspected he had cauda equina syndrome - a rare but serious condition where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord are compressed. These nerves are responsible for controlling bladder and bowel function, as well as sensation around the genitals, back passage, bladder and bowel. Mark says: "Through the night, things got worse. "I had an MRI scan, then they came and had to catheterise me, I was unable to pass urine, even with a bladder stimulating machine. "The results of my scan revealed the small bulge had grown much bigger and was crushing my nerves. "If I'd left it any longer, I could have been paralysed and needing a catheter for the rest of my life." I wasn't sure whether I'd ever walk again, or even be able to use the toilet Mark Doe Mark was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, and immediately feared that he'd never be able to be independent again. He says: "I was very scared when they told me. 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"It not only affected my life but my family's. My wife had to care for me, she would help me wash, dress, and bring me anything I needed, all while caring for a five-month-old, two older children, 14 and eight years old, two animals and the house. 5 Mark has a five-month-old daughter who he's struggled to pick up and hold Credit: Mark Doe 5 Mark says his early symptoms were dismissed as anxiety because he was taking treatment for that at the time Credit: Mark Doe 5 Mark isn't the only one who's been affected by what's happened - it's taken a toll on his family too Credit: Mark Doe "My eight-year-old struggled with the change in the home dynamics. She refused to enter the room with me at first as she was scared. "She had to have extra support at school to understand the emotions she was feeling." Two years on, Mark is still in pain, with aches, shocks, and pins and needles in his lower back, bottom, and legs. 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A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc, however, many disc herniations do not necessarily have an identified cause. If you have suddenly developed or noticed a rapid change in two or more of the following symptoms within the past week, you should attend A&E immediately. 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Metro
a day ago
- Metro
This is why it seems like everyone has ADHD right now — including you
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You don't have ADHD if you just forget your keys sometimes; you're probably just a regular human being living in an increasingly hectic world. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Arrow MORE: I'm desperate to lose my virginity but have a panic attack whenever I come close Arrow MORE: Video games are great for my mental and physical wellbeing – Reader's Feature Arrow MORE: Heston Blumenthal reveals touching wish after emotional moment with son


Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
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