A student who viciously attacked a teacher has been commended for displaying regret over the incident.
Kieran Matthew, now 18 years old, was released without imprisonment after leaving his teacher, Carol Shaw, unconscious and bleeding on the ground. The teacher’s life was endangered, and she suffered permanent scarring after being forcefully thrown head-first onto a concrete surface.
During a review of the case, Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith stated, “He has appropriately shown remorse and is now displaying some level of awareness towards the victim, despite his learning challenges. He is actively working on preventing impulsive violent actions that led to this incident.”
“This individual has been given an opportunity instead of being incarcerated, and it appears that he has embraced it wholeheartedly and learned from it,” Sheriff Niven-Smith added. Another review is scheduled for December, as reported by the Daily Record.
The court was informed that Ms. Shaw was knocked out cold when the enraged student threw her “like a ragdoll.” Following the brutal attack on March 22, 2024, the student callously remarked, “The stupid cow deserved it” while propping his feet up on a teacher’s desk.
Previously, Sheriff Niven-Smith emphasized the severity of the assault and its lasting impact on Ms. Shaw’s life. He highlighted the profound disfigurement and trauma she suffered, preventing her from returning to work due to panic attacks and nightmares triggered by the assault.
Matthew was ordered to undergo three years of social work supervision and attend courses in anger management. Additionally, he was placed on a Restriction of Liberty Order for twelve months during nighttime hours.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, it was revealed that the teacher from St Paul’s Academy was left with a prominent Y-shaped scar on her head and was too traumatized to resume her duties.
Matthew, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and a significantly low IQ, confessed to assaulting and injuring the teacher. The violent incident occurred when Matthew, a fifth-year student at the Dundee school, refused to comply with separate changing arrangements before a physical education class.
The altercation, agreed upon by Matthew, his foster mother, and the school, arose due to his history of aggression towards peers. Described as emotionally delayed, Matthew was educated in specialized classes outside the mainstream curriculum.
On the day of the assault, Matthew, standing at six feet tall, was visibly agitated over the changing procedure. The targeted teacher had previously been successful in de-escalating similar situations but was caught off guard during this incident.
After a brief struggle, the teacher was violently thrown to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness temporarily. Colleagues rushed to her aid after she cried out for help while bleeding profusely.
Following the assault, the teacher required medical attention, including stitches and a CT scan due to confusion and signs of concussion. A plastic surgeon noted that the attack posed a life-threatening risk.
Upon being cautioned and charged, Matthew expressed remorse for his actions. He admitted guilt for the severe injury inflicted on the teacher, acknowledging the permanent disfigurement and life-threatening situation he caused.
Matthew’s defense attorney, Theo Finlay, highlighted his client’s long-standing emotional struggles and the need for medication to manage his condition. He cited feelings of unfair treatment and isolation that contributed to Matthew’s heightened emotions during the altercation.