Middleboro man sentenced to prison in violent beating of girlfriend

A 40-year-old Middleboro man was convicted by a jury of his peers after a three-day trial in New Bedford District Court of violently assaulting his girlfriend in New Bedford, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Joseph Loring was convicted of assault and battery last Thursday and was sentenced to serve the maximum two-and-a-half year in the Bristol County House of Corrections.

On March 4, 2018 New Bedford Police were dispatched to a Chicopee Street home for a domestic violence incident. At the time of the incident, the couple had been dating for about three months and the defendant was essentially living in the victim’s New Bedford home. On the evening of the assault, the couple had gone to Knuckleheads in New Bedford and were driving to a fast food restaurant when an argument broke out about the victim allegedly looking at other men in the bar.

Upon arrival back home, the victim locked herself in a room but the defendant kicked it in and slammed the victim’s head into the tile floor. After the victim threatened to call police the defendant became further enraged and pushed the victim into the bath tub and attempted to scald her with hot water. After promising the defendant she would not call the police, the defendant left the home. At that point, the victim called 911. When police arrived they documented the broken door frame and the victim’s injuries, which included a bloody forehead, a half inch cut above her nose and swelling on her head.

“I am pleased the jury held the defendant accountable for this violent assault against the victim, which injured her. Based on the defendant’s criminal record, the maximum jail sentence was warranted,” District Attorney Quinn said.

The defendant has previously been convicted seven times for violating restraining orders and once for malicious destruction of property.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Shawn Guilderson.