Concern at 'lenient punishment' after knife incident at Thurso school
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A PARENT has hit out at the "lenient punishment" given out to a Thurso High School pupil following an alleged incident in which a knife was pulled out on her daughter.
The incident is alleged to have taken place on the playground during break time on Tuesday, February 11.
The knife was said to have been pulled out following a playground argument between the boy and other pupils.
After a member of staff was informed, it is understood that the police were called in by the school.
However, the mother of one of the pupils, who has requested anonymity, who had the knife pulled out on them said she was amazed at the lenient punishment dished out by the school – a two-day exclusion.
She said: "A two-day suspension does seem remarkably lenient given how serious this is.
"My daughter and her friends, aged in the 12 to 13 range, were involved in an argument with this boy – who is of similar age – and then all of a sudden he pulls this knife out.
"He didn't attack my daughter or her friends but pulled it out as if to say 'back off'.
"Thankfully no-one was injured. My daughter is okay but it is more than me that is worried about what happened.
"The matter was reported to a member of staff and the boy was taken out of his class.
"One of the mothers of one of the other children my daughter was with phoned the police.
"The police contacted me so that they could interview my daughter about what happened. All they could tell me afterwards was that the boy would be dealt with, but wouldn't say how."
When contacted for a response on behalf of Thurso High School, a Highland Council spokesperson said: "We are unable to comment."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a 12-year-old boy has been charged for possession of a knife following an incident at Thurso High School on Tuesday, February 11.
"A report has been sent off to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration."
