THREE teenaged girls have been sentenced after pleading guilty to assaulting a 14-year-old girl with a wheel brace at a Guildford park last year.

Sophie Burrows (pictured), 19, from Godalming, Lauren Coveney, 19, from Midhurst along with a 17-year-old girl also from Midhurst, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with causing grievous bodily harm on July 9, 2016.

Their victim suffered a head injury, a slight fracture to the nose, bruised ribs and two black eyes following the incident, which took place at Stoughton Recreation Ground on January 9, last year.

Surrey Police investigator Detective Constable Carina Jewell, said: “This was a horrific and violent attack which has had a profound effect on a teenage girl’s life.

“As well as suffering extremely serious injuries, she was left traumatised by the incident and suffered continued bullying and abuse as a result. She was eventually forced to move schools for a fresh start.

“A media appeal was issued following the incident and it was the attention on social media that led to the girls eventually handing themselves in at Guildford Police Station.

“At first they denied using any kind of weapon during the attack but messages were found on all their phones mentioning the assault and the crowbar and how to clean it, and all three were subsequently charged with GBH.

“I would like to commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward and giving evidence under very challenging circumstances.

“I hope the sentence handed out serves as a stark reminder that we will not tolerate violence in our local communities and we will remain committed to bringing those who commit such offences to justice.”

Burrows was handed a 14-month prison sentence, Coveney received a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years and will also have to complete 200 hours unpaid work, observe a curfew between 8pm and 5am for three months, and pay £960 compensation.

A 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, received a 12-month referral order and will also have to pay £960 compensation.