A teenage girl who slashed a man across the face and hand after accusing him of stealing food from her has been sentenced to two years detention and training.

The 17-year-old mother, who cannot be identified, was told she would be released on licence after serving a year of the sentence.

A judge said the girl showed she was determined to cause victim John Scandrett as much harm as she could in a petty squabble over food.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he was walking home with friends in Hampton Crescent, Gravesend, on January 16 this year when the teenager accused him of theft.

She pulled out what was believed to be a cutthroat razor (similar to the one pictured above) and brandished it in his face.

As he put his hand up to protect himself, the girl slashed at his hand with the weapon.

She shouted at him: "Put your hand down."

In fear, he did so, hoping she would leave him alone, but instead she sliced into the side of his face, causing a 3cm wound through several layers of skin.

The teenager shouted: “You are getting all blood up my knife.” She let him go and walked off with a friend.

Maidstone crown court, where the girl's case was heard

Mr Scandrett was taken to Darent Valley Hospital, where seven stitches were inserted in deep wounds to the back of his right hand.

He was referred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for specialist surgery to the facial wound.

Prosecutor Keith Yardy said the victim was left scarred. “He was vulnerable because of personal circumstances,” he added.

The girl, from Dartford, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Judge Charles Byers said: “This is a serious case where nasty injuries were caused and it was persistent. I don’t say it borders on the sadistic but it went on longer than it needed to have done.”

An adult, he said, would face imprisonment for seven or eight years.

“I appreciate she has had a difficult life from all I have read about her but this type of behaviour cannot be overlooked,” the judge added.

“I think she has not yet grasped the fundamental principles that if you do wrong, you get punished.”