Yellowknife (Apr 29/05) - A Yellowknife high school student who threw scalding tea into the face of a classmate was convicted of assault Wednesday in territorial court.

Leanne Niziol, 18, was originally scheduled to stand trial for assault with a weapon, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge after reaching an agreement with the Crown.

Niziol and the victim were both students at St. Patrick High School with a history of animosity.

When Niziol and the victim exchanged glances in the hallway Feb. 4, Niziol said "What the (expletive deleted) are you looking at? Do you want your ass kicked?," Crown Attorney Brent Lepage told the court.

After a mutual exchange of unpleasantries, Niziol threw a hot cup tea into the victim's face. That sparked a fight between the two teenage girls, which resulted in each receiving bruises and scrapes.Her lawyer, James Brydon, said the tea had cooled during the 10-minute ride to the high school from the coffee shop.

Judge Robert Gorin - who said the "circumstances do appear relatively minor" - handed Niziol a conditional discharge. If Niziol obeys the term of one year probation order she will not face jail or have a criminal record. Gorin also ordered Niziol to perform 30 hours of community service and avoid contact with the victim.