Headmaster acquitted of using excessive force

The headmaster of Gzira Primary School Alfred Grixti, 51 - also the mayor of Zebbug - was acquitted of injuring a schoolboy after social workers, counsellors and other teachers told a court that the student had behavioural issues.

The boy, whose age could not be disclosed by court order, told Magistrate Edwina Grima that his negative behavior, and his physical, verbal attacks towards fellow pupils and his mocking of authority was "his way of joking".

The case dates back to December 2010 when students from St Claire's College in Gzira were visiting a living nativity scene at Ghajnsielem, Gozo.

The student was reported to have started misbehaving in the van transport the group to the Gozo ferry, where he started kicking his seat. His misbehaviour continued when the group boarded the ferry, where the boy kept teasing fellow students and teachers. One of the students complained to the headmaster about his colleague's behaviour.

After another incident, where the boy started cutting off the leaves from a tree, the headmaster was said to have grasped the boy by the hand and pushed him to get him in line with the result that the pupils fell on the sidewalk, dirtying his clothes with soil. In retaliation, the boy took off his shoe and assaulted the headmaster.

The student alleged that Grixti repeatedly hit him over his head, something that was denied by the headmaster. Other teachers who were on site corroborated the headmaster's version.

Magistrate Grima acquitted Grixti, saying the boy's behavior had gone beyond any limit and that order had to be re-established. The magistrate also said that in his actions the headmaster did not use excessive force to control the student.

Inspector Anne Marie Micallef prosecuted. Dr Edward Gatt appeared for Grixti.