A 22-year-old Mystic man who stabbed a 14-year-old in the chest in a dispute over a girl issued an apology as he was sentenced today to 18 months in prison.

Joseph Lamarche, who had pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, said Aug. 27, 2011, was the worst day of his life and that he had been "stupid."

"I would like to apology to (the victim) and his family for my actions that day and for the hurt that I have caused them."

According to the state, LaMarche and the victim agreed to meet at Northeast Academy, an elementary school on Oslo Street, to talk about a problem with a girl. LaMarche, saying he knew he would probably regret it, told the boy he had stolen his girlfriend then stabbed him in the chest with a knife. The victim recovered.

Judge Patrick J. Clifford listened to appeals for a suspended sentence from Lamarche's father and attorney Margaret Steele. He agreed that Lamarche had no criminal history and was a high-school graduate with a full time job, but said sentencing is not about what is best for the defendant. Clifford said society expects someone who commits a violent crime to go to jail.

"The victim came home and collapsed on the deck," Clifford said. "He had a hole in his chest. They thought he was going to die. Fortunately he didn't."