Her life will never be the same… 😰

On March 22 last year, a student named Matthew grabbed teacher Ms. Shaw in a “rugby-style grip” and slammed her head-first onto concrete, knocking her unconscious and causing a severe head injury requiring 10 stitches. Doctors warned the injuries could have been fatal.

Despite the attack’s seriousness, Matthew avoided jail and received a three-year social work supervision order, anger management classes, and a curfew. The assault stemmed from a dispute over behavioral measures—Matthew refused to change for PE in a separate room, and Ms. Shaw tried to de-escalate.

Matthew showed no remorse, reportedly saying, “She deserved it.” Ms. Shaw, traumatized and unable to return to teaching, suffers from panic attacks and nightmares. The court acknowledged her permanent disfigurement and lifelong impact.

Matthew’s defense cited his difficult background, including childhood abuse, PTSD, ADHD, and low IQ, as reasons for leniency, but many online criticized the light sentence given the severity of the attack.