BANGOR, Maine — A Brewer man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison on charges of aggravated assault and terrorizing.
Edward Hewes, 60, was convicted on the two most recent charges in July after a three-day jury trial at the Penobscot Judicial Center. He since has been held without bail.
The charges on which Hewes was convicted stem from the brutal assault in March 2014 of a woman with whom Hewes was living with at the time and threats he made against two police officers.
His victim, who was 51 years old at the time, was hospitalized in critical condition after the assault.
Hewes, who was represented by Ellsworth attorney Jeffrey Toothaker, faced up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 on the Class B felony assault charge alone.
“This was an aggravated case because of the injuries to the victim,” Penobscot County Assistant District Attorney Alice Clifford said after Monday’s sentencing before Superior Court Justice Ann Murray.
“He broke her jaw in two places, and he broke her ribs as a result of the fall after a punch,” Clifford said. “They were in a domestic relationship at the time. He threatened the police after that.”
Another factor that elevated the assault charge against Hewes was his criminal background, Clifford said.
“He had [criminal] history dating back to the mid 1970s, and he continued that until present day,” she said.
“I’m glad that the court did sentence him to nine years,” Clifford said. “I think that was a fair sentence, and I think that this does highlight that sentence in the course of this month, which is [National] Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
Hewes has an extensive criminal history, dating back more than four decades and includes a 1995 conviction for gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact for which he was sentenced to 17½ years in prison, Clifford and Penobscot County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy said earlier.
He was released April 24, 2009, according to the Maine Department of Corrections, which indicates he earned good time while incarcerated, according to a previously published report.
Other convictions include breaking arrest in 1974, disorderly conduct in 1975, receiving stolen property and robbery in 1976, criminal trespass in 1977, criminal mischief and assault in 1983, failure to appear in 1991, possession of a firearm by a felon, cruelty to animals and theft of services in 1992, refusing to sign a summons and violating bail conditions in 2011, operating under the influence and operating after revocation and failure to appear in 1995.
As a result of the 1995 conviction for sex offenses, he is required to register as a sex offender for life.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.