“violence is not answer to anything but if you are being bullied you would lash out. yes there is two side's of the story. I get angry with people who don't even know the story and say that the young lad that hit out needs to be punish more. Do you even know the lad i bet you don't so keep your opinions to yourself.”

“Theres always 2 sides to every story. For all we know the boy that did this could have been a victim himself on previous occasions, or suffered bullying etc. Violence is of course never the answer but even some of the mildest adults i know on occasions have had to take a step back and a deep breath to stop lashing out, and for children that self control takes a little while longer to master. I hope both boys are ok now :)”

“@MacMonkey. Steady on chap. At what point do I describe the assailant as a thug? I merely stated that I was disappointed that anyone thought violence an answer to anything. I'm not calling for the boy's blood, no way.”

“Here here to bimple,

Year's ago that's the way kids sorted there problems and teachers turned a blind eye.
So let me say this my youngest child between y1-y3 was bullied by one of his class mates. My son was bitten most days punched and scratched so should i took that child to court?”

“"That student should have been kicked out school permantly"

You ARE joking, right? Do you know the effect that would have on the lad who did this, possibly for the rest of his life? And you want that, just because he hit someone at school???!!!”

“Do you know why the lad hit the other lad? No but you all have your say! it does not state in the newspaper that the other lad was taunting him? NO you just see what you want to see. Is it right to for the other lad to call him a gypsy and in bread, all because he comes from a big family (who are working class and pay there taxes) doesn't give the other lad the right to verbal abuse him and his family. Know wonder he lashed out!!!! The lad in question off assault is a very caring lad well mannered and would do anything for you. Also he don't even go out in the evenings, the lad is a very nice lad so shut up about things you do not know about!!!!!!!!”

“Spot on example bronte99!”

“My father died when I was seven years old. Some months later in the school playground, a female classmate (who already had a mouth on her even at that age) came over and started giving me the third degree about his death. She said to me "I guess that makes you a b*stard, then." My instinctive reaction was to slap her - the one and only time I have ever used violence in such a way in my 45 years. Does that make me an unruly, violent yob by nature? Some people need to get some perspective.

Provocation is a recognised legal term, and one very obvious example is the defence to the offence of murder of "loss of control", where if a defendant can prove a sufficient degree of provocation in order to have lost self control, the offence may be mitigated to one of manslaughter.

An extreme example, granted, but nevertheless one which demonstrates that provocation can and does play a part in assaults of varying degrees.”

“Britgirl62 - You're joking, right? You ask what planet I'm on and then you're opening line is "You sue the school" ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC!
Perhaps you should watch less of Jeremy Kyle and the "where there's blame there's a claim" adverts contained inbetween that hideous show.

I guess there's more can be read into your other comment "All YOU tax payers........" Nothing more needs to be said on that matter!

At no point have I defended the violence. All I have done is put a realistic view and perspective on a minor schoolboy matter! The facts are there if you open your eyes to see!
You say you have seen someone killed by a "simple innocent punch". Well, so have I - a few times in fact and let me tell you, there is absolutely no comparison with this incident and someone losing their life. I have also seen various other nasty injuries caused in violent incidents, but the fact remains that whichever way you look at it, this incident is very minor.”

“@Britgirl and Karinfall

You seem to be struggling to read and understand what is being said. No one here is saying violence is acceptable, the school punished the pupil so they are not saying violence is acceptable.

We haven't heard from the boys parents so how do you know they have not also punished their child for his actions.

You both seem to be making sweeping generalisations about 'violence' and how someone being in a small scrap will lead to them roaming the streets committing random assaults - what a lot of rubbish. Some kids have issues with violence and this behaviour needs to be curbed - but there is no evidence that the child here is one of those problem children.

This may be the one and only time he hits someone, when you're young you make mistakes and how can you talk about permanent exclusions in this case when you know NOTHING about the incident or the people involved. The boy was punished as saw fit. I hope he has learned his lesson and that it shows courage to turn the other cheek not sure what the baying mob (well 2 of you anyway) are trying to achieve by labelling someone they don't know (and someone so young) as a thug.”