Mother jailed after punching pregnant teacher in the face

A mother who punched a pregnant teacher in the face after an argument over the cost of a school trip was jailed for three months yesterday.

The decision to send the 42-year-old woman to prison was welcomed by the Government and teachers' leaders as the sign of a new mood of "zero tolerance" by magistrates against people who assault public servants.

Deborah Broad, from Parsons Cross, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to common assault when she appeared before Sheffield magistrates yesterday. The court was told she had punched Theresa Jones, a primary teacher, in the face and shoulder during an unprovoked assault in July last year.

Broad had confronted Mrs Jones, who was five months pregnant, in her classroom at Mansel school, Parson Cross, over the cost of a trip for her seven-year-old child. She admitted punching her. District Judge Tony Browne said he hoped the sentence would act as a deterrent.

Estelle Morris, the Secretary of State for Education, said the decision was a sign that "assaults on teachers are completely unacceptable".

She added: "The message is loud and clear that if you assault teachers you can now go to prison. There should be no doubt as to our determination to stamp out these attacks. Teachers have a right to work without fear of violent attack or verbal abuse."

Chris Keates, deputy general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), Mrs Jones' union, said it had at least one call a day about attacks on teachers.

Figures from the union show the number of cases where it brought in lawyers to help teachers mount a prosecution has risen from seven to 48 in the past decade. Many other cases are dealt with by the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

"It is a sad reflection on society that teachers, along with other public sector workers, are frequent victims of violence," Ms Keates said. "NASUWT welcomes the fact that the court has taken this assault seriously. A prison sentence will hopefully be a strong deterrent to those inclined to attack teachers."

A week ago, a parent who struck a headteacher was sent to prison for nine months after being found guilty of assault.