New Bedford Domestic Abuser Sentenced to Prison
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
December 29, 2016
A 40-year-old New Bedford man will serve the next three to five years in state prison after being convicted last week of assaulting his wife, children and step-child, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today.
Sandy Little pleaded guilty last Friday in Fall River Superior Court to charges of assault and battery-causing serious bodily injury, and four counts of assault and battery.
After hearing the facts of the case from Assistant District Attorney Melissa Tafe, Judge Raymond Veary sentenced the defendant to serve three to five years in state prison. Judge Veary also ordered the defendant to complete a batterers program and sentenced him to an additional two year of probation to commence upon his release from prison.
In October, the defendant’s wife drove herself and her three sons to the New Bedford Police Department to report she was assaulted by the defendant and was fearful to return home.
The incident began when the two youngest sons were arguing. The mother told the defendant she would handle things, but he intervened and became angry. The defendant pushed both boys, ages 7 and 10, to the ground. At that point, the third son, a 15-year-old, told the defendant to leave his younger brothers alone. The defendant grabbed the older boy by the hair, threw him to the ground and put him in a chokehold. He then grabbed his wife by the hair and began pulling her back towards him, before the older son attempted to stop him. The defendant threw the boy to the ground and then kneed the boy in the face, resulting in a nasal fracture in three different areas of the boy’s nose. The boy was hospitalized and has had to undergo plastic surgery to repair the damage.
“This defendant assaulted every member of the family, including a seven year old child, a 10-year-old child and a 15-year- old boy,” District Attorney Quinn said. “Is there any surprise that there is a cycle of violence when children are exposed to this type of abuse? This type of outrageous violence against women and children cannot be tolerated. I will continue to fight to hold these defendants accountable.”
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell