Student threatened classmates with knife during lesson, court hears

A 15-year-old student who threatened three classmates with a knife during a lesson at a junior high school in North Savo last November will not be punished, North Savo District Court has ruled.

The court found the student had drawn the knife and threatened to kill three pupils amid classroom disorder, with students shouting and disrupting the lesson. A school staff member present as a witness said the situation calmed after an adult raised their hands and suggested leaving the classroom.

The court recorded three counts of illegal threats but waived punishment, citing the student’s lack of understanding and impulsiveness. The student had recently turned 15 and admitted to the acts.

In court, the student said the class’s persistent disorder had been reported to teachers without change, and they saw no other way to influence the situation. They later acknowledged the act was foolish.

The staff member testified that, apart from the incident, the student had been well-behaved and unproblematic in class. The student transferred schools after the incident and has since settled well into the new environment.

The ruling is not yet final.