A US judge has blocked the suspension of a high school girl who was punished for posting a note at school warning of a “rapist” in their midst. In September Aela Mansmann, 15, was accused of bullying by school officials in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, after she posted notes in the girl’s toilets.

But on Thursday a judge issued a temporary stay on the suspension citing concerns over free speech rights. A lawsuit filed by the girl’s family against the school is still pending.

The case began on 16 September after Aela posted notes in two bathrooms at Cape Elizabeth High School reading: “There’s a rapist in the school and you know who it is.” After another student brought the note to school administrators, they investigated and identified Aela through camera footage.(BBC)…[+]