WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — A West Warwick teacher is expected to stand trial next month after an alleged incident involving a student last year. Sean Doyle, 54, faces a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. According to a court document, police reviewed surveillance footage from inside a We st Warwick school which showed a brief struggle between Doyle and the student in February 2024. Police said the video showed the two of them in the hallway after the student had gotten upset and left a classroom. When the student went to walk away from Doyle, police said the video showed the teacher place his hand in front the student, then wrap his arms around him and a struggle ensued, resulting in Doyle taking the student to the floor. "[Doyle] maintained his hold on the victim for several moments before standing up and falling backward into a wall, still holding the victim," the court document said. "The defendant then released the victim, injuring his ankle during the altercation." A detective spoke with the principal, who reviewed the footage and said that in his professional opinion as a certified crisis intervention trainer, physical intervention was not necessary in this instance. The principal told police that other de-escalation techniques could have been used, according to the report. West Warwick Superintendent Karen Tarasevich released a statement to 12 News saying the district conducted an independent investigation, and the incident was "fully addressed by both the district and the school committee back in May 2024." "At this point, the situation is outside the jurisdiction of the school district and we will not have any further comment as it is a personnel matter," Tarasevich said. Doyle's bench trial is scheduled to begin April 30. RELATED: West Warwick lays off school staffers in effort to balance district’s budget Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less