From the Hobart Mercury:

Scissor attacker walks free
MARIA RAE
April 29, 2008

A TEENAGER who launched a racist attack against an Asian student in Hobart’s bus mall walked free today.

Samantha Margaret Scorse, 18, of Berriedale, had stabbed the 15-year-old boy while trying to rob him of his mobile phone.

She had told him to “go back to your own country” before plunging a pair of scissors into his upper arm.

Justice Pierre Slicer said her offensive and racist language was an aggravating factor in the crime.

But he said she was a troubled young woman had also been a victim of violent behaviour.

The judge said she had an alcohol problem and there was a tentative diagnosis she had a borderline personality disorder.

He sentenced her to four months in jail wholly suspended on a two-year good behaviour bond.

Scorse had pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Hobart to attempted aggravated armed robbery.