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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Boy held 'gun' to teacher's head | Boy held 'gun' to teacher's head |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A school teacher from Northampton had a fake gun held to her head by a 13-year-old pupil during a lesson. | A school teacher from Northampton had a fake gun held to her head by a 13-year-old pupil during a lesson. |
| The victim was teaching a year eight maths class at Mereway Community College when a boy walked up to her and pointed the 3in-long gun at her head. | The victim was teaching a year eight maths class at Mereway Community College when a boy walked up to her and pointed the 3in-long gun at her head. |
| She only realised it was a toy when the boy handed over the gun after being challenged by a teaching assistant. | She only realised it was a toy when the boy handed over the gun after being challenged by a teaching assistant. |
| The boy received a warning by Northants Police and the gun was destroyed after the incident on 1 May. | |
| The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she froze when the boy produced the gun. | The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she froze when the boy produced the gun. |
| Within the light of the Virginia massacre, you know, it's very kind of worrying The teacher | Within the light of the Virginia massacre, you know, it's very kind of worrying The teacher |
| "Where would I stand legally if I attacked the child and tried to take the gun from him by force, but then of course, I'm then not only responsible for my own safety, but for the safety of the other pupils in the class as well", she said. | "Where would I stand legally if I attacked the child and tried to take the gun from him by force, but then of course, I'm then not only responsible for my own safety, but for the safety of the other pupils in the class as well", she said. |
| "I found myself in a very difficult situation so I froze. And when I took it from him I still didn't know it wasn't a real gun because it was heavy". | "I found myself in a very difficult situation so I froze. And when I took it from him I still didn't know it wasn't a real gun because it was heavy". |
| "Within the light of the Virginia massacre, you know, it's very kind of worrying", she added. | "Within the light of the Virginia massacre, you know, it's very kind of worrying", she added. |
| Head teacher at Mereway Community College, Mark Griffin, said: "I have enormous sympathy with the teacher involved in this extremely unusual incident. | Head teacher at Mereway Community College, Mark Griffin, said: "I have enormous sympathy with the teacher involved in this extremely unusual incident. |
| "We take the issue of aggression of any sort very seriously and we will do everything in our power when dealing with any such incidents. | "We take the issue of aggression of any sort very seriously and we will do everything in our power when dealing with any such incidents. |
| "All schools have to remain constantly vigilant these days but I am confident that this incident represents a very stupid prank by a young child." | "All schools have to remain constantly vigilant these days but I am confident that this incident represents a very stupid prank by a young child." |
| Parents support | Parents support |
| The pupil was removed from the school immediately after the incident and has been excluded. | The pupil was removed from the school immediately after the incident and has been excluded. |
| Mr Griffin continued: "We feel our response reflects the serious nature of this incident and the distress it caused to the teacher involved. The school has been fully supported by the parents of the student involved." | Mr Griffin continued: "We feel our response reflects the serious nature of this incident and the distress it caused to the teacher involved. The school has been fully supported by the parents of the student involved." |
| Supt Mark Lacey of Northamptonshire Police said: "I can understand the concern that this incident caused to the teacher involved and we acted quickly and appropriately when we were made aware of what had taken place at the school. | Supt Mark Lacey of Northamptonshire Police said: "I can understand the concern that this incident caused to the teacher involved and we acted quickly and appropriately when we were made aware of what had taken place at the school. |
| "We have continually spoken out about the need for young people to be told not to carry toy or replica guns in public because of the fear that this could cause and this incident clearly highlights that." | "We have continually spoken out about the need for young people to be told not to carry toy or replica guns in public because of the fear that this could cause and this incident clearly highlights that." |