Magistrates were today under fire for refusing to jail a mum who lashed out at a teacher.
The decision to sentence Julie Waters to 70 hours community service was criticised by a teachers' leader as too lenient and not sending out the right message.
Security review - head Angela Hutchinson in front of the school gates Picture: ROB BROWNE
Waters, 33, of Sutton Road, Southend, was convicted of common assault yesterday by Southend magistrates.
She admitted attacking Cecelia Guldbrandsen, a teacher at Bournemouth Park primary school.
The court heard Miss Guldbrandsen "marched" Waters's ten-year-old son to the head after he called her a "dozy whore".
Waters arrived at the school and approached Miss Guldbrandsen shouting and swearing, and said "I am going to do you".
She then struck her in the face.
Barry Cox, chairman of the bench, sentenced Waters to 70 hours of community service, ignoring the court clerk's advice that an assault on teaching staff would normally lead to a custodial sentence.
Head of Deanes School in Daws Heath Road Thundersley, Paul Beashel, called for a sensible approach to heated situations and security in schools.
He said: "Although we have not had any incidence here there is always potential in any school for problems when heat is generated as children can be difficult and tempers do rise.
"I do believe that teachers should be given more security. We have installed CCTV in and around the school and visitors have to sign in."
Miss Guldbrandsen said afterwards: "I was assaulted in front of other children and I worry about the message this sends out to them."
Jerry Glazier, general secretary of Essex and Southend National Union of Teachers, said the sentence was too lenient.
Angela Hutchinson, headteacher at Bournemouth Park, said the attack, which occurred on March 6 this year, forced the school to review its security.
She said: "We have reviewed and stepped up our security for the safety of staff and pupils. "We already have CCTV cameras in operation and will be putting other measures in place."
Published Friday, June 20, 2003
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