66 years, never needed a gun.

2 teen girls sentenced for beating senior in park
Last Updated: Monday, February 4, 2008 | 2:28 PM AT
CBC News
Two teenage girls were sentenced Monday to 12 months in custody for beating
a 66-year-old woman with metal table legs last summer in Halifax.

Judge Pam Williams rejected a joint recommendation from the Crown and
defence for eight-month sentences for the two 16-year olds, saying she
agonized over it for a week.

Williams pointed out the girls, along with another girl, attacked a
completely innocent woman who was walking through the Halifax Common, beat
her and only stopped when a passerby intervened.

She said the fact the attackers covered their faces with bandanas implied
premeditation.

The two teenagers sat quietly in youth court Monday. They stared at the
floor for most of the hour-and-a-half it took the judge to hand down the
sentences.

The 66-year-old victim did not appear in court. Her husband was there, but
refused to comment on the judge's decision.

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The woman suffered a broken rib and severe bruising in the Aug. 27 attack.

Williams said it was sad that one of the teens committed the assault so she
could return to jail, a place where she said she felt safe, and had food and
a bed.

The teens, from Halifax and North Preston, cannot be named under the Youth
Criminal Justice Act. They have already served time at the Waterville youth
detention centre.

The teenagers had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a
weapon for a dangerous purpose.

A 15-year-old girl from Halifax was sentenced last month to 30 days, in
addition to the four months she has already spent locked up.