Shaina Marston was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

A violent teenage girl who attacked her ex-boyfriend and threatened him with a knife has walked free after a sympathetic judge told her: "I am trying to be as understanding as possible for a young person who has committed a serious offence."

Shaina Marston was sentenced to five months' youth custody, which Judge Michael Carroll said was "calculated in such a way which will result in your release today".

The 19-year-old, of Brunswick Street, Maidstone, had served the equivalent of the sentence on remand.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Marston went to the home of Adil Nazar, 22, in Postley Road, Maidstone, on March 27 and attacked him.

Mr Nazar called the police on Marston's mobile phone asking for help because she had a knife. A cut above his eye had to be glued. A bent kitchen knife was found.

"you have a very bad record. you have spent an appreciable amount of time in custody…” – judge michael carroll

Judge Carroll told Marston, who admitted assault, Mr Nazar’s future had to be protected, as well as she had to be protected from herself.

"We are on the same side here," he continued. "I have got to look at Mr Nazar’s position. You have a very bad record. You have spent an appreciable amount of time in custody.

"I accept you have had extreme difficulties while growing up, not initially of your making, and found the transition of coming out into the community difficult."

The judge said he now had enough material on Marston to deal with her in such a way that would protect the public and also help her.

He would not impose a community order, he said, becuase he was "not in the habit of setting people up to fail and deal with the wreckage later on".

"So on the face of it, the sentence is a lenient one," he continued. "But I am satisfied it is the proper sentence after careful consideration."

Judge Carroll said he was "absolutely satisfied" there should be an order restraining the teenager from contacting the victim.

Marston was sentenced to three months for assault and two months consecutive for breach of a suspended sentence.