Dumbbell attack: Peter Harvey warns stressed teachers are ticking time bombs
A stressed teacher who attacked a pupil with a dumbbell has warned that many of his colleagues are like ticking time bombs.
By John Bingham
Published: 7:30AM BST 25 May 2010
Peter Harvey, 50, snapped after being goaded by teenagers in his science class at All Saints’ Roman Catholic School in Mansfield, Notts.
Last month he was cleared of attempted murder and attempting to cause serious injury after a jury heard that he had been under intense pressure and was being deliberately targeted by the class.
Describing him as a thoroughly decent man who was suffering the effects of stress and depression at the time, a judge sentenced him to a two-year community order for causing grievous bodily harm with intent on Monday.