Man gets three years for felonious assault

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Bristolville man has been sentenced to three years in prison for felonious assault on his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day in an Austintown hotel room.

Molder C. Belden, 38, of North Park Avenue, drew the sentence Monday from Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Belden had entered an Alford plea last week to felonious assault, meaning he didn’t admit guilt, but acknowledged a jury could have convicted him had he gone to trial.

The prosecution dropped kidnapping and abduction charges in the plea deal.

Belden and his then live-in girlfriend had been drinking at the racino on Feb. 14, 2016, before he beat her with his fists in the Comfort Inn room, where he kept her for about two hours until she escaped to the hotel front desk and got the clerk to call 911, said Jennifer McLaughlin, an assistant county prosecutor.

The victim required staples to close a head wound, McLaughlin said.

“I’m going to continue to try to better myself and not be so dependent upon love of a female to make me feel worthy of life,” Belden told the judge.

“Watch the alcohol” in the future, Judge Durkin advised Belden, who will be on probation for three years after he leaves prison.