By CATHY ARONSON
A 14-year-old has been stood down from a Hamilton school for using pepper spray on three girls who she says were attacking her in the playground.
The Hillcrest High School student, Chloe Reinsfield, said she did not know the spray was illegal.
She used it at school on Monday
to fend off the girls who were punching her in the head and mouth, leaving her with a swollen lip.
Chloe said a friend gave her the spray for self defence after she was bullied by the same group a week earlier.
But she will not tell the police her friend's name or how the friend got the spray.
"I was really scared, and when they started punching me I pulled it out of my pocket and just starting spraying everywhere until they let go of me."
She thought she had sprayed one girl in the eyes and one in the mouth.
Principal Kevin Hessell refused to comment. But in a letter to Chloe's parents he said: "We have decided to stand-down Chloe because she brought to school a pepper spray and used it on several students causing injury. This is a restricted weapon."
He would not comment on any action against the girls Chloe said had attacked her.
Board of trustees chairwoman Marita Broadhurst said the students had received medical treatment.
Chloe had been stood down until next week.
Chloe said she was afraid to return to school on Monday to begin her fourth form exams.
Her parents, Wendy and Mark Reinsfield, met school authorities last night because they were disappointed she had been stood down for defending herself. Mr Reinsfield said that a week before the pepper spray was used, he told Mr Hessell Chloe was being intimidated.
On the day Mr Hessell was warned of the threats, Chloe was beaten up. The student involved was suspended.
Chloe said that two days later, the suspended student was waiting for her outside the school. Her friend called the principal while she sneaked out the back way.
That night, another friend, from a different school, came to her house and offered her the spray.
The first day back at school she had to use it. Chloe said she left school and went to the Hamilton police, who told her they believed she had used illegal pepper spray.
The spray was a small red canister labelled "self defence".
Hamilton police yesterday would not comment on the spray or what action they were taking against Chloe.
By CATHY ARONSON
A 14-year-old has been stood down from a Hamilton school for using pepper spray on three girls who she says were attacking her in the playground.
The Hillcrest High School student, Chloe Reinsfield, said she did not know the spray was illegal.
She used it at school on Monday
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