A teenage girl who hounded a Bermudian schoolgirl was jailed for 18 months yesterday for her vicious stabbing after a judge ruled she was a threat to society.

Latroy Gaynelle Santucci, 19, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Deanna Trott at the junction of Court Street and Front Street on December 29, 2001 after seeking her out earlier in the evening to attack her.

CedarBridge Academy student Shauntiah Rawlins, 17, who played a lesser role in the assault, was given a conditional discharge, placed on probation for two years, and ordered to do 300 hours community service, after also admitting causing grievous bodily harm.

After the sentencing at Supreme Court yesterday, Ms Trott's older sister Nikita said her sibling, who was 16 at the time of the attack, was so traumatised she no longer likes living in Bermuda.

"Her whole mentality has changed since the incident and she still gets laughed at and looked at hard," she said.

"She doesn't even like living on the Island. It changed her life, she has been scarred for life. I just hope these individuals will learn from this so that in the future they can teach young people that violence is not the answer."

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told Supreme Court yesterday that Ms Trott spotted both defendants following her at a dance at West Pembroke Primary School and left because she thought she was going to be attacked.

She went to Roosters restaurant on Court Street but saw the two thugs outside, so she rode off on her bike to the junction of Court and Front Street. But they followed her on a bike and blocked her vehicle.

Santucci, of Tea Room Hill, Warwick, walked over and began shouting at her and punched her head, causing her helmet to come off, then hit her several times in the face, side stomach and back.

Rawlins, of Loyal Hill, Devonshire, then began kicking her on the side and back, and the attack only stopped when a man watching the fight intervened, said Mr. Caines.

Ms Trott found she was bleeding and staggered towards Chopsticks restaurant, but collapsed on the street, suffering from three stab wounds to her upper body.

"Both defendants made a big deal out of trying to find the complainant and both seemed hyped," said Mr. Caines. "There was evidence that Santucci was going to stab the complainant and she was seen waving the knife about.

"In the aftermath of the incident, both defendants were seen laughing and saying `Yes, we got her'.

"Santucci said she was going to beat up the defendant and she was going to hear about it on the news."

Mr. Caines said Santucci was seen waving the blood covered knife around at the Esso 24-hour gas station in Par-La-Ville Road, and a witness told her: "You lot are going to end up murdering someone tonight".

Rawlins told Police that Santucci had blood on her shoes and jacket, and the knife was half covered in blood.

Rawlins said Santucci then said: "Oh, I have got this bitch's dirty blood on my wrist."

Santucci was remanded in custody for twice breaching her bail conditions by confronting Ms Trott after she was arrested, said Mr. Caines.

While both Santucci and Rawlins pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, neither admitted carrying out the stabbing.

Jailing Santucci, who has one previous conviction for theft, and ordering her to go on an anger management course, Assistant Justice Charles-Etta Simmons said: "There is no doubt you instigated the attack.

"There is no doubt that you intended to do harm to Ms Trott and since then you carried out a course of harassment and intimidation of Ms Trott.

"All for what? A boyfriend who appears to have abused you and will continue to do so until he has no further use for you.

"You are a significant threat to Ms Trott and to society in general and a deterrent sentence is required.

"The court believes you need to be removed from society and to reflect on your attitude to the law, to human life, and your own life. I believe you are on a slippery slope to criminality."

Santucci's lawyer Larry Mussenden asked for a conditional discharge or probation, saying his client showed remorse

After Santucci quickly read a note saying she apologised for the offence and showed remorse, Mrs Justice Etta-Simmons, told her to slow down. Mr. Mussenden said the note was intended to be passed to the judge.

Mrs Justice Etta-Simmons asked Mr. Mussenden: "Did you write it clearly enough?"

Rawlins' lawyer Patrick Doherty said his client had turned her life around since the attack, and had glowing reports from her teachers testifying how she had focused in school.

Mr. Doherty said his client only admitted kicking Ms Trott once and denied laughing and boasting about the attack afterwards.

"She is a young woman who has shown remorse and she has great potential. The evidence is that she will do very well and will no doubt be a member of a professional organisation."

Juan Wolffe also appeared for the Crown.