By Kesinee Taengkhio

The Criminal Court ended one of Bangkok's most terrifying crimes yesterday by sentencing the woman who attacked four schoolgirls with a knife to four years in jail.

The court denied the convict's claim of insanity, saying she was mindful during the attack at St Joseph School. Thirty-eight-year-old Jitrada Tantiwanichayasuk originally faced an eight-year term, but the court halved her sentence after she confessed.

The court has also ordered that Jitrada - who has suffered mental problems for years - be treated at the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute once she has completed her solitary confinement at the Khlong Prem Central Prison. The institute's doctors have to report her progress every six months.

Jitrada was accused of stabbing and seriously injuring four girls, aged 12 between 14, on September 9, 2005. During the lawsuit, the girls as well as more than 10 witnesses identified Jitrada as the attacker. The public prosecutor also said the defendant - charged of attempted murder and carrying weapons in a public place without just cause - was conscious of her actions and should be able to defend herself in court.

The defendant's family members and a doctor from the Galya Rajanagarindra Institute testified that Jitrada had been suffering mental problems since she was 20 and needed to be medicated to lead a normal life. They added that she was conscious of her actions some of the time.

Prior to the attack, Jitrada had stopped taking her medications and had later run away from home with a bankbook. The court rejected her claims of insanity, saying she was conscious enough to purchase three new knives, change her clothes as well as get a haircut after attacking her first victim - 12-year-old Chomnat Arif. In addition, court said her claims were unsubstantiated because she was able to recall the incidents from the very start.

The court said it had based the sentencing on the Criminal Code's Article 48, which says a mentally-ill criminal cannot be released because it could endanger members of the public. However, after hearing the verdict, Jitrada - whose relatives were not present at court - was told she could appeal the sentencing in 30 days.

Chomnat's father and co-plaintiff, Chumjet Arif, said his daughter had recovered from her wounds but remained fearful. He said he was content with the ruling, but would have to consult a lawyer to see if a civil lawsuit should be filed to seek compensation.

President of the St Joseph School's Parents and Teachers Association Sommit Lorkitiyakul said since the attack, schools in Bangkok had beefed up security and a close eye was kept on strangers. He also said the court ruling was very just.

Jitrada, who started working at a restaurant in Chatuchak after the attacks, was arrested after a person recognised her from police sketches. She was then arrested and sent to Galya Rajanagarindra Institute to be treated for nine months, before being sued by the public prosecutor for her crime.

Director of the women's section at Khlong Prem, Angkhaneung Lebnang, said Jitrada had not attacked any of her fellow inmates during detention at the prison's medical wing. However, authorities would keep a close eye on her and keep her medicated, she said.