A South Australian woman stabbed by her best friend and classmate at school says she happy her attacker will be allowed leave from a secure mental health facility.
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Amber Brea Rover, 19, was suffering from undiagnosed schizophrenia when she stabbed her 17-year-old friend Zoe Fenn during class in July last year.
Rover was charged with aggravated causing serious harm, but was found not guilty due to mental incompetence.
District Court Judge Jo-Anne Deuter on Wednesday handed her a five-year, six-month limiting term to be served at James Nash House.
She approved Rover for some day and overnight leave and backdated the term 13 months.
Outside court, Ms Fenn said she was pleased with the outcome and described Rover as an "amazing person" and "very close, very positive and lifelong" friend.
"It's been hard but I wouldn't change a thing about any of how it's come about," she told reporters.
"It's gotten Amber the help she needs."
In sentencing, Judge Deuter said it was important to note Ms Fenn had forgiven her friend and the pair share a close bond.
"She continues to visit you and support you and your recovery, and that says a great deal about the strong friendship," she said.
But she said the attack was nevertheless serious, and she was not yet prepared to allow Rover full transition into the community.
A psychiatric report found Rover suffered from schizophrenia and was psychotic at the time, although Judge Deuter said proper treatment has brought her symptoms under control.
Ms Fenn suffered a three-centimetre laceration and a punctured lung in the stabbing, which she described as the most painful thing she had experienced.
It was previously alleged Rover hid the knife inside her sleeve before the confrontation which sent the school into lockdown.
Both students were transferred to Adelaide for treatment with Rover also undergoing surgery for an undisclosed condition.
Australian Associated Press
