US substitute teacher filmed whipping students with belt

A US substitute teacher has been stood down after a student filmed him whipping students with a belt.

The teacher, who has not been named, wielded the belt after a fight reportedly broke out between three boys in a classroom at Gwynn Park Middle School in Brandywine, Maryland, on Friday, Fox DC reports.

As the boys brawled on the floor the powerfully-built teacher advanced, smacking them with the belt at least three times, sending students scrambling to escape.

While some of the students screamed in panic, another could be heard laughing at the antiquated disciplinary method.

It is not known if the teacher removed the belt from his pants to strike the students or whether he had one close to hand in expectation of trouble.

The incident was referred to the local county police department, and the teacher has been "removed from the classroom", school officials said.

"Prince George's County Public Schools does not condone this type of behaviour and it is not representative of the level of professionalism and respectful conduct of the team at the school," the statement said."