Teacher-slap yob whimpers in dock

A VIOLENT youth who struck his teacher narrowly escaped custody.

The 16-year-old from Oldham was “visibly shaken” at the thought of going to detention when he appeared at Oldham Youth Court on Friday.

The court heard how a locally-based teacher was heckled by a group of youngsters near a bus stop close to Oldham Sports Centre. The off-duty teacher recognised the pupils and was then surrounded by the gang.

Prosecutor Yvonne Tunnicliffe said the teacher was punched in the face by the defendant in an “unprovoked attack”. The assault was described as “fod slapping” — to strike someone’s forehead.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was chased by the teacher, who said he was calling the police.

Defending, Justine Whitworth, said: “He accepts he is the instigator in the matter. He thought it was funny at the time, but clearly he now knows it wasn’t and he knows ‘fod slapping’ is totally inexcusable.

She continued: “He has been left visibly shaken at the thought of custody.”

Magistrates sentenced the youth to serve a nine-month youth rehabilitation order and a curfew relating to the incident, which happened in November.

Head of the bench, Mel Gamson, said to the guilty youngster: “I hope you realise how close you were to custody.”