By A Correspondent- Crazed private school teacher who made headlines after he was filmed brutally assaulting a student as other learners pleaded with him to stop has blamed his actions on emotional stress caused by a toothache.

Talent Chingwaru, a Maths teacher at Harare Einstein Tuition Centre in Harare, pleaded guilty to assault charges when he appeared before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga. He pleaded for a lighter sentence.

Chingwaru told Magistrate Taruvinga that he was emotionally stressed by a toothache when he committed the offense.

It is in the State’s case that on the 14th of October at around 10:30 am, Chingwaru assaulted an 18-year-old student who later made a report at Harare Central Police Station.

This comes after the Lower Six student was allegedly found in an “O” Level classroom watching movies during lesson time.

The court heard that Chingwaru ordered the student to go back to his class but the student allegedly went to a biology classroom where he coincidentally met the same teacher.

It is further alleged that a harsh exchange of words ensued resulting in the teacher assaulting the learner.

In the viral video, Chingwaru can be seen punching, slapping, and using a belt to beat up the student while other students are heard pleading with Chingwaru to stop saying: “You will hurt him, Sir.”

The video sparked public outrage.

Meanwhile, Chingwaru who spent the weekend behind bars is set to appear in court this Monday (today) for sentencing.

The state is currently waiting for a medical affidavit to ascertain the level of injuries sustained by the student when he was assaulted.