Gateway School Case: 3 Defendants Sentenced to 12-24 Months in Prison
The panel of judges determined that the defendants' actions were serious, causing harm to the child's life and causing public outrage.
On January 15, the People's Court of Cau Giay District (Hanoi) announced the verdict in the case of "Involuntary manslaughter" related to the death of Le Hoang Long (6 years old, studying at Gateway School) on the school bus. The three defendants in the case are Ms. Nguyen Bich Quy (in charge of transportation), Mr. Doan Quy Phien (driver), and Nguyen Thi Thuy (homeroom teacher).
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| Three defendants stood listening to the verdict. Photo: Huu Danh |
The panel of judges determined that the defendants' actions were serious, causing harm to the child's life and causing public outrage. This incident not only left material consequences but also caused great mental damage to the family, and was a wake-up call for the entire education sector in student management as well as the use of student transportation services provided by third parties.
For the defendants' crimes, the court sentenced:Defendant Nguyen Bich Quy was sentenced to 24 months in prison, defendant Doan Quy Phien to 15 months in prison, both for the crime of "Involuntary manslaughter".
Defendant Nguyen Thi Thuy was sentenced to 12 months in prison for "Lack of responsibility causing serious consequences", banned from holding the position of teacher for 12 months from the date of sentencing.
Regarding civil liability, the panel of judges acknowledged the compensation of defendant Doan Quy Phien to the family of the victim Le Van Son (Long's father) in the amount of 20 million VND. The Ngan Ha Company was ordered to compensate the family of the victim in the amount of 249 million VND.The defendants have the right to appeal the verdict within 15 days from the date of sentencing.
