Ms. Cara Sweeney

A 14-year-old girl pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after stabbing an 18-year-old victim in the thigh during a street altercation, causing serious physical and psychological injuries including damage to the victim's femoral artery.

The Crown sought the maximum two-year custodial sentence, while the defence sought time served plus probation.

The court imposed a custodial sentence of 10 months custody and supervision (6 months net after pre-sentence custody credit) followed by 13 months of probation, with the offender to remain in secure custody at Syl Apps.

The court found that despite the offender's youth, genuine remorse, and lack of prior record, a custodial disposition was necessary to provide the highly structured environment and access to treatment required for her rehabilitation, given her history of inadequate parental supervision, anger management issues, and non-compliance with bail conditions.

A youth charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon in connection with a stabbing incident on Yonge Street in Toronto.

The Crown's case relied on circumstantial evidence, including the defendant's presence at the scene, his flight from the location, his possession of the knife used in the stabbing (which bore the victim's blood), and continuous police surveillance.

The defendant testified that an unknown associate handed him the knife during the altercation and he ran with it before discarding it.

The court rejected the defendant's evidence as incredible and found the only reasonable inference from the primary facts was that the defendant committed the stabbing.

The defendant was convicted of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.