February 4, 2019
(CMR) Joseph Hurlston (36) was sentenced this morning after appearing in court in relation to an incident that occurred in September last year to 23 months in jail for several offenses related to a domestic situation.
Hulston was charged with wrongful confinement and assault causing actual bodily harm back in October. Readers may recall that he was a fugitive and policed elicited the public's assistance in locating him back in late September.
Many persons familiar with the situation were disappointed to learn that the DPP's office would not be charging the defendant with attempted murder giving the gravity of his victim's injuries. All accounts are that his victim sustained a brutal physical attack over a period of days and was in constant fear of her life.
“At several points she was on the verge of becoming unconscious because he choked her on three occasions during the incident. We should not sugar coat domestic abuse and this was really kidnapping and a serious assault. She's lucky to be alive. We were disappointed that he did not face more serious charges like attempted murder and other assault charges. Given the extensive nature of her injuries that would have been more appropriate.”
The DPP's office went for less serious offenses and Hurlston plead guilty.
The victim was assaulted and held against her will over a period of time by Hurlston hence the wrongful confinement. She sustained a broken bone in the vicinity of her eye and was admitted to the hospital with severe black and blue bruises.
He held his victim hostage at a location but she was eventually able to convince him to take her home; promising not to report the incident. This was not the first time he had been charged with assault and a restraining order was already in place.
Hurlston received 5 months off his sentence for time already served. Hurlston had other offenses in court before this incident.
Another man, age 42 of George Town, was also arrested on suspicion of harboring him as a fugitive. There have been no further updates on this aspect of the investigation.
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