A Mo'ili'ili man was sentenced to a maximum 10-year prison term yesterday for stabbing his former girlfriend 22 times with a screwdriver, including at least twice in the neck.

Anthony K.K. Nao, 28, went on trial earlier on a charge of attempted murder for the stabbing near Kuhio Elementary School in February last year, but a Circuit Court jury found he didn't intend to kill the 30-year-old woman and found him guilty of the lesser charge of first-degree assault for inflicting serious bodily injury.

Deputy Public Defender Walter Rodby asked for probation for Nao, who apologized in court.

Circuit Judge Richard Pollack imposed the maximum term, saying Nao was blaming the victim for him stabbing her.

The judge called his actions "inexcusable" and "reprehensible" and said it was "extremely fortunate" the victim did not die.

If convicted of attempted murder, Nao would have faced a mandatory life term with possibility of parole.

The Hawai'i Paroling Authority will later set the minimum term Nao must serve before he is eligible for release on parole.

City Deputy Prosecutor Rom Trader said he will ask paroling officials to order Nao to serve the full 10 years.