A Halifax-area teen was handed a five-and-a-half year sentence for her role in a horrific three-on-one attack that left her roommate with burns to her ears and tongue, and a broken and unrecognizable face.

Brittney McNeil, 18, was convicted for aggravated assault for beating 18-year-old Kathie-Lee Bennet in an attack that included setting the victim's hair on fire and burning her with cigarettes.

Bennet's eye socket and cheekbones were broken by punches and kicks during two separate attacks behind a school last September. She eventually got away when her attackers took a cigarette break.

She has since had plastic and reconstructive surgery to correct some of the damage.

On Thursday, McNeil told Judge Alanna Murphy at the Dartmouth provincial court that she was sorry for what she had done.

But the victim's aunt, Margaret Bennet, called the apology "insincere" and said it was "done for the court, but I don't think she meant any of it."

"I would not have recognized her if I was not led to her hospital bed by her father," Bennet said of her niece. "Personally, I cannot understand how another human can do this to somebody."

McNeil's lawyer, Pat Atherton, said his client was remorseful but that she is a "very immature young woman who is now going to pay a very heavy price for the terrible actions she committed that night."

McNeil has 36 previous convictions, including youth convictions.

The beating was initiated by McNeil, the court heard, because she thought Bennett ratted her out to police over a gun that was in their apartment. No gun was found.

Murphy said McNeil is "entrenched in a pattern of lawlessness" but expressed hope that the woman could get help in prison and an education.

McNeil has only a Grade 8 education.

"It's not a happy day for us . . . but we are pleased with the decision of the court," Margaret Bennet said.

A 15-year old girl has already pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the beating. Her sentencing is set for April.

Another 15-year-old girl, who was 14 at the time of the attack, has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges related to the attack and is set to appear in court in May.

Kathie-Lee Bennet said she was recovering and hoping to maybe join the Canadian military.

With a report from CTV Atlantic's Elizabeth Chiu