A Kitchener man charged with attempted murder instead pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault.

Quintin Doran was then sentenced to 28 months in jail.

With credit for time already served, he has 12 months remaining in his sentence.

“Attempted murder requires the specific intent to kill somebody,” defence lawyer Craig Parry said outside court.

“The actions of the accused were a spontaneous striking out, when the complainant was attempting to intervene to stop him from harming himself.”

Last August, Doran and his 14-year-old girlfriend became involved in an argument which eventually turned to talk of ending the relationship.

Doran, court heard, then grabbed a pair of scissors, began to cut himself and threatened suicide.

The girl tried to stop him – at which point Doran stabbed her in the chest, leaving one blade stuck just millimetres from an artery.

“We could very well be dealing with a fatality,” Justice John Lynch said before sentencing Doran.

According to court testimony, Doran didn’t call 911 until the girl agreed to claim that they were throwing the scissors around for fun – which would keep him out of jail.

Eventually, the girl changed her story and told police of the attack.

The victim was in the gallery for Doran’s court appearance Monday, but soon broke down in tears and left the courtroom.

Speaking with CTV News outside the courtroom, she described herself as “heartbroken” about the situation and said she hoped Doran would get help.

During the proceedings, Doran addressed the court – saying he was “very remorseful” about his actions.

“I will do everything I can to change myself,” the 19-year-old said.

“I have to treat women way better.”