Skip to main content

Britain: Teacher quizzed after alleged classroom attack

  • Story Highlights
  • Teacher questioned after allegedly attacking student during science class
  • 14-year-old boy sustained serious head injuries, in stable condition Friday
  • Police questioning 49-year-old Peter Harvey on suspicion of attempted murder
  • Parents told PA that Harvey "snapped" hit the boy with a metal weight
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Police in the United Kingdom are questioning a teacher on suspicion of attempted murder after one of this students was allegedly struck in the head with a metal weight.

14-year-old Jack Waterhouse is said to be in a stable condition after allegedly being attacked by a teacher.

14-year-old Jack Waterhouse is said to be in a stable condition after allegedly being attacked by a teacher.

14-year-old Jack Waterhouse sustained serious head injuries after the alleged attack during a science lesson at All Saints' Roman Catholic School in Mansfield, central England Wednesday morning.

The boy was rushed to hospital but was later transferred to a specialist head injury unit at the town's Queen's Medical Center where his condition was described Friday as stable.

Police say they were called to the school just after 11am Wednesday following reports a student had been injured.

According to the Press Association, paramedics arrived to find the boy lying unconscious in a pool of blood at the entrance to a classroom in the science block.

There were more than 20 pupils in the classroom when it appears a row erupted between the boy and the teacher, PA reported.

Police arrested 49-year-old science teacher Peter Harvey on suspicion of one count of attempted murder and two counts of assault.

Two other students were injured in the alleged attack but did not need hospital treatment.

Parents told PA that Harvey "snapped" and lashed out at the boy with a weight used to teach science.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Pearson, who is leading the investigation, told PA: "The school, the teachers and the parents are absolutely shocked. It was a trauma to all those involved.

"It was a full, lively classroom and I can understand the trauma to all the staff. Something like this is very, very rare and it's important to get to the truth of what has happened.

Police have until 2015 BST tonight to charge Harvey or to request more time for to question him.

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print