Preschool teacher gets prison in abuse case

Legal experts welcomed a Beijing court giving prison time on Friday to a former kindergarten teacher found guilty on criminal child abuse charges, saying it will serve as a warning.

The Chaoyang District People's Court sentenced Liu Yanan, a former teacher at an RYB Education kindergarten in the capital, to 18 months for using needles to "discipline" four children in November 2017. It also ordered that Liu be prohibited from working in child care for five years after finishing her sentence or being placed on parole.

"Children are our future and their legitimate rights cannot be violated," the court said.