A TEACHER'S ill-judged decision to arm-wrestle a pupil ended in a classroom brawl and a police investigation, a hearing was told.
John Watson agreed to a test of strength with the youngster during a 20-minute lesson break for good behaviour.
The S3 pupil decided to avenge his defeat by grabbing Mr Watson's tie and refusing to let go.
The maths teacher at Inveralmond High School, Livingston, West Lothian, feared he would be strangled and pulled him on to a desk.
The incident resulted in the teacher's suspension and a police probe. Yesterday, a hearing of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) ruled Mr Watson's actions in March last year fell short of the standard expected.
But the hearing in Edinburgh ruled he was still fit to teach.
Mr Watson said in his evidence to the GTCS: "The class had worked on an exam paper that day.They performed well and we finished up marking the paper early so we had 20 minutes left."
He added: "As a reward I decided they could chill for the remaining 20 minutes. The pupils were talking among themselves and were free to move around the classroom. I was chatting away to some of them too.
"The atmosphere was ordered but informal. Two of the boys were arm wrestling and challenged me. I accepted and afterwards returned to my desk."
One of the boys Mr Watson defeated at arm wrestling decided to strike back as the class was preparing to leave the classroom.
Mr Watson said: "Suddenly the pupil leaned across a desk and grabbed me by the tie. I firmly but calmly asked him to let go of my tie. I could feel the pressure in my head and neck building... So I pulled his jersey and that's when he grabbed my tie with both hands.
"Instinct kicked in and I pulled him down onto the desk and more in distress than anger shouted at him to let go of my tie."
Mr Watson was suspended for six months during which time the police looked into charging him with assault, the hearing was told.
The procurator fiscal ruled that Mr Watson would not be charged.
He was given a final written warning by West Lothian Council and transferred to another school.
He told the hearing: "The incident has change my life. I am now more aware and cautious."
Panel convenor Dr Kerr Wilson said: "The evidence has shown that the respondent's actions fell below that expected of a teacher.
"However, as this is an isolated incident, that is unlikely to be repeated the panel has decided that he is not impaired to teach."
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