teacher tried to "deck'' a 15-year-old student, another youth told a Family Court trial.

Under examination by defence counsel Victoria Pearman, the student told Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp on Thursday: "I heard a bike fall and turned around and saw (the teacher) and (the student) standing by each other. Then I saw (the teacher) try and deck (the student) to the ground, like kind of flop him.'' The student, who said his view of the lunchtime incident was partially blocked by a gathering crowd, then testified the next thing he saw was the teacher appearing to lose his balance.

Two students -- aged 15 and 13 -- have been charged together with assault causing bodily harm stemming from a March 4 confrontation in the school yard.

As a result of that altercation the teacher was taken to hospital with bruises and cuts to his face, one requiring 15 stitches to close. The teacher, a native of the Barbados, has since returned home.

The assault sparked outrage throughout the community, leading to demands for increased security at Island schools.

Because of their age the students -- who have pleaded not guilty to the charge -- cannot be named, nor can The Royal Gazette publish material which may directly or indirectly lead to their identification. The ruling set out by Mrs. Mapp extends to identifying witnesses, the name of the school, and the victim.

The student, the second witness called by the defence, had been riding on pedal bikes with both defendants moments before when they encountered the teacher walking up the drive towards the school.

As they rode by, the teacher said to the elder defendant words to the effect that he was going to get the beating of his life.

The witness then rode on to talk to a friend standing near the school's gate.

He then heard the sound of a bike falling and turned to see the 15-year-old defendant and the complainant standing beside each other.

As the incident escalated a crowd started to gather and the witness rushed up to see the commotion. As he got to the scene he told the Court he saw hands reaching out from the crowd hitting the teacher.

He could not identify who actually hit the teacher, but said under questioning he did not see the younger defendant punch or kick him.

Earlier witnesses, including two teachers and two students, testified the the victim fell forward onto his face without even attempting to break his fall.

Three witnesses said they saw the elder defendant kick the teacher and throw a series of fake punches before the teacher fell to the ground. The younger defendant was then seen assaulting the teacher as he lay on the ground, unconscious.

The witness for the defence however maintained none of that happened.

The case continues on July 14.