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The academic, named Ge, attacked the woman on Wednesday because he was angry she had blocked his car. Photo: Weibo

Chinese professor detained over attack on street cleaner that prompted wave of online anger

Academic’s assault on woman prompted widespread outrage on social media

A university professor in northwestern China has been put in detention for 10 days for hitting and kicking a female street cleaner.

The teacher, surnamed Ge, was also fined 500 yuan (US$75) for assaulting the cleaner at a housing estate in Xian, Shaanxi province, local newspaper Huashang Daily reported.

Police said Ge attacked the woman on Wednesday because his car had been blocked by the cleaner’s truck.

News of the incident went viral on Chinese social media last week, drawing a wave of criticism with many web users arguing that the man’s behaviour called into question his suitability for his academic post.

Ge visited the woman in hospital three days after the attack and his wife also went to see her the following day.

Ge’s wife said angry web users had found out the family’s contact information, and she was receiving hundreds of phone calls a day.

Pictures of the assault were posted online and prompted widespread outrage. Photo: Sohu.com

“My two daughters are very young,” she was quoted as saying. “I hope people can let it go ... Our family is under huge pressure.”

In an online statement released on Thursday, Ge’s employer, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, said the academic had been suspended from his job.

The university also released a photo of a handwritten apology letter from the professor, who said he deeply regretted hurting the cleaner.

But the 40-year-old cleaner, who is still being treated in hospital, said Ge only said he was “too impulsive” when he visited her after the incident.

“He did not apologise,” the cleaner was quoted as saying. “I hoped he could say ‘I’m sorry’ in person.”

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