Teenager sentenced to four months in prison for school assault: ‘I feel guilt and shame’

A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced to four months in prison and issued a deportation warning by a court in Kolding, Denmark, following a violent assault on another student at Sdr. Vang School, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The court found the teenager guilty of luring the victim into a classroom in late December, where he pushed, punched, and choked him, while also striking him with a belt. Parts of the assault were recorded on video. The defendant admitted to the violence seen in the footage but denied using scissors as a weapon, a claim the court ultimately dismissed.

The victim testified that he was called into the classroom by the 16-year-old, who then locked the door with the help of two other boys—both under 15 at the time. After questioning him about a girl, the group attacked him, with the defendant holding him in a chokehold for roughly 30 seconds. “I couldn’t breathe,” the victim told the court. “I even said, ‘I can’t breathe.’” He also described being hit in the head with a belt multiple times while restrained.

The defendant’s lawyer, Niels Anker Michaelsen, argued for a suspended sentence of 30 to 60 days, calling the incident a “spontaneous escalation” rather than premeditated brutality. Prosecutors, however, pushed for four to six months in prison without parole.

Before sentencing, the 16-year-old addressed the court, reading from a prepared statement: “I’m sorry I hurt you. I also want to apologise to your family—and to my own family for the situation I’ve put you in.” He added, “I’ve learned that violence is not the answer. This will never happen again,” and expressed feeling “guilt and shame” over his actions.

The case has been referred to Denmark’s Youth Crime Board, which handles offences involving minors aged 10 to 17. The defendant and his lawyer are now considering whether to appeal the ruling.