http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31131551
PONTIAC, Mich. - A Pontiac Central High School teacher accused of hitting a ninth-grade student has been charged with assault.
Bradley Keith Thompson, 39, was arraigned at the 50th District Court in Pontiac Friday.
He was given a $500 personal bond and ordered not to have contact with the victim and not to return to the place where the alleged assault took place.
Thompson has been suspended with pay while the investigation into the alleged assault Tuesday continues.
The ninth-grader's grandfather and mother said school officials told them the incident is on videotape, but neither has seen it. Also, police will not release the surveillance video.
The mother of the student said her son told her Thompson pushed him in the hallway and then slammed his head into the door when he realized the student was back in school when he thought he was suspended. She said her son went to the office and called her to tell her Thompson shoved him.
Teacher Union President Irma Collins is denying the allegations. She said Thompson has been with the school for six years, is well-liked and has a perfect record.
Collins claims the student attacked Thompson and he was only trying to subdue the student until security arrived. "The boy came to the teacher's room and said all of these other things to him. The teacher walked to the door and asked him to leave – it's not on the camera – then he took and just took both of his fists and punched the teacher's chest and knocked him back and walked away.
"The teacher immediately secured him to prevent any further assault on himself. As the boy struggled, he held him firmly to keep from any further injury on himself," Collins said on behalf of the teacher.
"The teacher will be completely cleared of all these charges," she added.
Attorney Cyril Hall, who is representing the student, said he is contemplating a civil lawsuit.
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