AN 18-YEAR-OLD who repeatedly stabbed a woman during a street brawl near St Giles’ Fair has been spared jail.

Prosecutors at Oxford Crown Court yesterday said Acacia Ricketts’ knife attack on September 4 last year could merit a jail term between nine and 16 years.

Presiding Judge Peter Ross said this attack did not have to be punished with jail on account of her ‘progress’ since the incident.

Judge Ross also warned about the potential 'evils' of social media - read the full report HERE

Ricketts, of Pytenry Close, Abingdon, had already admitted one count of wounding with intent and another of possession of a knife.

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At her sentencing hearing yesterday prosecutor Alexandra Bull said the shocking incident of violence began with a spat between Ricketts and two other women on social media.

Ms Bull said the three had been 'toing and froing' online ahead of the street brawl at Friars Entry at about 11.30pm.

CCTV footage played of the violence appeared to show the victim along with three friends line up in front of Ricketts standing off-screen with her boyfriend.

Moments later a fight erupted between the group which ended with Ricketts pulling out a kitchen knife before repeatedly stabbing one of the women.

The multiple injuries that woman received included cuts to her head, arm and shoulder.

The stabbing victim said she still feels 'petrified' after the ordeal - see her statement here 

After her arrest Ricketts did not give any comment to police but later admitted both counts.

In mitigation yesterday defence barrister Harriet Gilchrist said the case reflected how 'horrible' social media can be.

She said: "They became warriors behind screens and it led to the incident that day."

She went on to say that Ricketts had initially acted in self defence and there had been prior rumours the women wanted to 'jump' her as well as an earlier confrontation at St Giles' Fair.

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Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said: "In the course of your actions you caused severe injuries with the use of a knife. There is no one in this court room who will be unaware of the plague of knife related crimes, many regrettably ending in death.

"You administered a flurry of stab wounds in the course of your assault. It became a lottery as to where the knife blows ended up."

Ricketts was handed a three-year community order to include 35 rehabilitation activity days, mental health treatment, a restraining order and she must pay £1,000 to her victim.