The woman who orchestrated swarming-type attacks that ended with one of the victims lying unconscious on a snow bank apologized for her actions Friday during a sentencing hearing.
In a quiet voice, Mercedes Rae Jewett, 23, said she feels "very terrible" for what occurred and takes "full responsibility" for her actions.
"And I'm very sorry for the effect it's had (on the victims)," she added.
Jewett has pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement and aggravated sexual assault from the Jan. 7, 2013 incident that began when Jewett and a friend suspected they had been molested following a party as the two were sleeping in a bed in Jewett's apartment.
They had based their suspicions on the similarity of the dreams they had, the smell of pepper spray in the air and the discovery of an iPod left behind by one of the partiers.
Its owner, a 17-year-old boy, was lured back to the apartment where he was confronted by about a half-dozen people, including Jewett. When he tried to leave, he was punched in the jaw and kicked in the face and an empty vodka bottle smashed over his head before he convinced his attackers he was not the culprit.
He was then used to lure his cousin, also a 17-year-old boy, back to the apartment where he too was attacked.
This time, the victim was hit twice on the head with a frying pan. As he lay on the floor, his pants were pulled down and he was sodomized with a broom handle, then kicked in the head.
By then unconscious, he was carried out to the snow bank. RCMP were called and they arrived, some of the assailants claimed they simply found him there.
Jewett's role was largely to rally friends to her cause but she did kick the second victim in the head, the court was told.
She responded in an "inappropriate and drastic way" because she believed she had been sexually assaulted and was a victim of sexual assaults in the past only to see the perpetrators go free.
Jewett felt she needed to "take matters into her own hands to some degree."
And while she pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault, the intent was retribution not sexual gratification, defence counsel also argued.
As for her behaviour during the time she's been in Prince George Regional Correctional Centre, defence counsel said staff have noted her polite behaviour and willingness to participate in the programs.
On Wednesday, Crown counsel said Jewett had sent letters to more than 15 inmates either convicted for violent or sexual crimes or charges with such offences. They include convicted serial killers Cody Legebokoff and Robert Pickton.
Defence counsel did not comment directly on the letters but did say Jewett is not well liked by other inmates and has spent much of her time in protective custody.
Defence counsel is seeking a sentence of time served, which stands at 4 1/2 years once enhanced credit is accounted for, followed by a lengthy probation that would include an order that she take psychiatric treatment. Crown counsel is seeking eight to 12 years less time served for Jewett.
For co-accused Hayden Lee Alwood, the only other adult involved, Crown is seeking six to nine years less credit of two years nine months, while defence is arguing for time served followed by probation.
Provincial court judge Dan Weatherly will issue his decisions on sentencing on Tuesday.
