A TEENAGER has been given a two-year detention and training order after leaving a former schoolmate scarred for life when she knifed her in the face.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The child, from the Colchester area, had previously been convicted grievous bodily harm with intent at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Police were called after the 16-year-old victim was approached by the girl at the lift at the top of Vineyard Street car park in Colchester town centre.

She then had her bag thrown and was attacked with a Stanley knife, receiving cuts to her nose and forehead.

The victim was taken to hospital and has received life-long scars to her face.

The incident happened in broad daylight, just after 4.30pm in June.

While carrying out forensic work in the area, the defendant came over to officers and was arrested.

The Gazette has previously lodged an application to name the defendant but the bid was turned down.

Investigating officer Det Con Danielle Markoutsis said her and her colleagues were determined to crackdown on knife crime.

She said: “The offence was so serious that a young girl has been detained and she will hopefully receive rehabilitation.

“She carried out an unprovoked attack with a knife following a chance meeting with a former school friend.

“The victim was taken to hospital and has received life-long scars to her face. The message is clear, if you go out armed with a knife in our community, you will be stopped and brought to justice.”

For more information about knife crime, including consequences of carrying a knife and stories about t knife crime, visit www.essex.police.uk/advice/knife-crime.