Hunan court upholds ruling on teacher's intentional injury case

On Thursday, a court in Changsha, Hunan province, sentenced a teacher to five years in prison for severely injuring a nine-year-old student, upholding the original verdict of a lower court.

According to an announcement from the Changsha Intermediate People's Court, the court upheld the original verdict in the second trial of an intentional injury case involving a teacher named Song Yuming. The defendant and the plaintiff each filed appeals, but the court dismissed them.

In the first trial, the Yuelu District People's Court in Changsha ruled that on September 6, 2023, Song had repeatedly attempted to discipline a noisy student during an after-school tutoring session but failed. Out of frustration, he threw a broken triangular ruler at the student, which accidentally struck another student surnamed Liu, sitting in the row in front of the noisy student, causing severe injuries and a ninth-degree disability.

The district court determined that Song's actions constituted the crime of intentional injury, resulting in grievous harm. Given his role as a teacher who harmed a minor, the court emphasized the severity of the case. It imposed a harsh punishment despite Song's voluntary surrender and cooperation with authorities being considered mitigating factors.

The court sentenced Song to five years in prison and banned him from working in roles involving close contact with minors. The court also rejected Liu's civil compensation claims, noting that the school involved had already fully compensated the victim.

Song Yuming and Liu's family appealed the decision. The Changsha Intermediate People's Court reviewed the case, conducted inquiries and heard arguments from relevant parties, including legal representatives. It concluded that the first trial's findings were clear, the evidence was sufficient, the conviction was accurate, the sentencing was appropriate and the procedures were lawful, thereby affirming the original ruling.