A mentally-disturbed man was sentenced to six years in prison yesterday for slashing the face of a young woman in an unprovoked attack.

The 24-year-old victim has been left with scars over the lower portion of her face.

Eli Rashid Hill, 28, of Smith's Avenue, pleaded guilty to slashing Rushana Tannock last October as she rode her bike home in rainy weather.

A social inquiry report and psychiatric report on Hill referred to at his Supreme Court sentencing yesterday noted that he would benefit from treatment overseas in a mental hospital and suffers from mental illness.

Hill's defence lawyer Kae Thomas told the court she had looked into seeking overseas help but had not received any word from the Attorney General's Chambers on whether it would be possible.

Assistant Supreme Court Justice Charles-Etta Simmons said the matter would have to be dealt with post sentencing.

In court yesterday, Hill appeared calm and unemotional.

He apologised to the court, the victim and her family.

"I've very sorry, Mrs. Simmons," Hill said. "I'm sorry for that girl and her family. I apologise."

The victim was not in court yesterday for the sentencing.

Mrs. Justice Simmons said that because of Hill's "mental disorder" there was a chance he would commit another offence.

She said during the six years in prison he should be entered into psychological and psychiatric programmes and any other diagnostic programmes that he could benefit from.

Hill was also ordered to submit to six years of probation.