26/06/08 - Family to sue teen thug girl
Essex Chronicle

Essex crime writer Bernard O'Mahoney is taking legal action against a 15-year-old schoolgirl who cut his daughter's face with an ice skate.

The Essex Boys author hit out after the schoolgirl - who can not be named for legal reasons - assaulted Karis King, 18, and her two friends in Chelmsford town centre.Witham Youth Court heard how the Chelmsford trio had been enjoying a night out when they were confronted by the juvenile.

Miss King suffered a broken nose and her father fears she could be scarred for life and may require cosmetic surgery.

Mr O'Mahoney said after the hearing: "The court may be fooled by their attacker's tears, but we are not.

"This attack was totally unprovoked, but legal action does not end here.

"We are now going to the civil courts because this little thug needs to know she has to face up to the consequences of her vile behaviour."

The juvenile admitted ABH against Miss King and common assault against her friends, Holly Williams, 18, and Casey Foreman, 16, on April 4.

Magistrates heard that the girl hit Miss King on the face with the blade of an ice skate causing a cut and swelling to the bridge of her nose.

The juvenile, who was given a police reprimand for ABH two years ago, denied using an ice skate.

As she sat beside her father awaiting sentence she wiped tears from the corner of her eyes.

Magistrates gave her a nine-month referral order saying it was a "nasty" assault, whether or not a skate had been used.

She was ordered to pay £150 compensation to Miss King and £75 each to her other victims.

The bench said she and her father would co-operate with a Youth Offending Team panel in drawing up a contract over her future conduct.

"The aim is to prevent you offending again. We don't want to see you again but the next time we do the punishment will undoubtedly be more severe."

The bench said compensation would have been higher but her father was a single parent with other children in his care.

Fiona Hardman, prosecuting, said Miss King was drawing money from an ATM when the juvenile approached and kept asking why she had "started" on her sister.

Suddenly the juvenile swung a skate in Miss King's face, causing bleeding.

Miss King told police she was shocked, dizzy and thought she was going to pass out.

Miss Hardman said it was not yet known whether the scar on her nose would remain.

Donald Oates, mitigating, said the juvenile admitted punching, but had not used a skate during the assaults.

Mr Oates agreed she had been involved in violence and shop theft in the past, but her supportive father had now read her the "riot act".

"She is a diligent student and athlete and a good all-rounder and her father is extremely supportive and he is doing his best as single father."