The District Court in Cottbus has convicted a teacher of assault against several students and threats, issuing a suspended prison sentence of one year and one month. The court ruled that the man committed acts of violence against students at a secondary school in Cottbus on four separate occasions during September 2023.
In addition to the suspended sentence, the defendant was ordered to pay compensation for pain and suffering totaling 500 euros: 100 euros to one student and 200 euros each to two others. The teacher, who taught music as a career changer, confessed to the charges in court and offered an apology.
According to the proceedings, the educator kicked an eleven-year-old boy in the hip and struck him on the back of the head with his hand during a class. This specific incident resulted in the boy requiring treatment at a hospital. Two other twelve-year-old students also received blows from the teacher. While initial reports mentioned two victims, the final count involved more.
The boys are reported to have a migration background by the Victims' Perspective association. Consequently, police investigated a possible racist motive following the parents' report, though this allegation played only a marginal role during the trial. The verdict is not yet legally binding.
Sources: Der Spiegel.