Previously convicted Taunton abuser sentenced to prison after violent assault of girlfriend

A man previously convicted of abuse has been sentenced.

A 48-year-old Taunton man who abused and violently assaulted his live-in girlfriend was sentenced to serve five to six years in state prison last week in Fall River Superior Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Robert Hosea pleaded guilty to indictments charging him with strangulation, intimidation of a witness, aggravated assault and battery with serious bodily injury, and assault and battery on a family or household member.

On March 17, 2019 Taunton Police were dispatched to Morton Hospital at approximately 8:45 p.m. for a report of a seriously injured woman. Upon arrival, police found a victim with a swollen face, a black and blue eye which was swollen shut, and dried blood around her mouth and on her teeth. Her mouth was swollen and her front teeth were loose and appeared almost knocked out. She stated that she got into a fight with the defendant that evening. The victim told police she had stayed out over the weekend and he became upset when she returned. She went on to tell police that the defendant grabbed her and threw her, punched her in the jaw, and threw her into the stove. He also pushed her into the bathtub when she went into the bathroom, got on top of her and punched her continuously in the face. The victim reported that the abuse was ongoing during her relationship with the defendant and that he had choked her the day prior. Police observed visible marks on her neck.

While the case was pending, according to the DA, the defendant made numerous efforts to manipulate the victim into not appearing in court, invoking the 5th Amendment privilege or recanting her story.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Thompson and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas Perrino. The defendant, who previously served jail time for similar domestic violence convictions, was also ordered to complete a certified batterer’s mental health program and have no further contact with the victim.

“The defendant brutally assaulted the victim knocking out her teeth and breaking her facial bones. He has a history of violent and abusive behavior against women. He clearly is a danger to the victim and the community and needs to be kept off the street to protect society ,” District Attorney Quinn said.