"Lock all the doors and windows - don't let her out."

A court was told how these chilling words were uttered by 39-year-old Belinda Love, in a York house where a terrified teenager was kept prisoner after being subjected to a catalogue of humiliating violence.

Jurors heard how Kerrie Bricklebank, from Leeds, who was staying at the house, was punched, knocked to the floor, kicked, cut on the arms with child's scissors, hit with a metal cooking ring, had her hair cut with a bread knife, tea thrown in her face, and oil and ketchup poured over her - after allegations that she had "grassed up" a relative of Love's.

Then she was ordered to change her clothes and sweep up her shorn tresses before the house was locked and she was told she would be kept inside until her bruises subsided.

But the resourceful 19-year-old managed to escape after bending the prong of a fork and using it to pick a kitchen window lock after her appalling ordeal in the early hours of July 11.

Love was convicted of false imprisonment and assault after a trial at York Crown Court.

Chris Smith, prosecuting, said Love had punched Kerrie and thrown tea in her face before instructing that she should be kept indoors.

But Love denied this, saying she had not even been present when the assault took place and had no idea what had happened.

One of the gang of attackers, 21-year-old Michelle Fining, from Toby Court, in Strensall, has already admitted assault. A 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also admitted assault and false imprisonment on the third day of her trial.

The court was told that Kerrie had left the house to call her grandmother from a public telephone box with the aim of getting away from the area after an argument between her and another man there.

But Fining and the 17-year-old girl found her, and began attacking her in the kitchen after the trio returned to the house.

In the early hours of the following day, the imprisoned teenager woke in the living room, found a stray mobile phone and dialled 999. She tiptoed into the kitchen, climbed to freedom through the window, and once on the street outside, attracted the attention of a neighbour.

An ambulance later took her to York Hospital, and police went to the house where they found the bent fork and hair in the bin.

Kerrie admitted having drunk two shots of absinthe, a shot of vodka and a can of Stella Artois lager on the night in question.

Love, Fining and the 17-year-old are due to be sentenced at a later date.

A 17-year-old boy, who was also on trial and cannot be named, has been cleared of both charges.

Updated: 09:57 Friday, December 02, 2005