Marcus Schlip as he appeared in his Portsmouth Police booking photo in January 2018.

PORTSMOUTH — A local man charged with assaulting a Portsmouth High School teacher in front of students in January 2018 was sentenced to three years probation after pleading no contest in Newport Superior Court on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

According to court records, Marcus A. Schlip, 23, of 409 Turnpike Ave., pleaded no contest to charges of assaulting a school teacher and disorderly conduct. As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to keep participating in mental health counseling and ordered to stay away from the victim.

Two other charges against Mr. Schlip, of possessing a knife during the commission of a crime and possessing a knife on school grounds, were dismissed.

According to Portsmouth Police, on the morning of Jan. 30, 2018, Mr. Schlip attempted to enter the main door of the PHS field house, where students were gathered for a physical education class. His home was located on the east side of the field house, just a short walk away.

The teacher, a 27-year-old female, told Mr. Schlip to report to the main office, but he forced his way inside, police said.

Mr. Schlip, a former student at the school, asked the teacher to follow him into a bathroom, according to police. When she refused, he punched and kicked her, then ordered students to line up “because he was now in charge,” police said.

Mr. Schlip then went to the main office, where he was apprehended by the school resource officer. Police found a military-style knife in a duffle bag he was carrying, according to police.

The teacher was treated for minor injuries and released. No students were assaulted.