45-month sentence for Kitchener man who repeatedly punched ex-girlfriend

The Waterloo Region courthouse is seen on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. (David Imrie / CTV Kitchener)

A woman who was brutally assaulted by her ex-boyfriend watched on tearfully as her attacker was sentenced Wednesday.

Phillip Marshall of Kitchener was sentenced to 45 months in prison, in addition to the more than 10 months he has been in custody since the attack.

At the time of the July 2014 incident, the two had recently ended their relationship and the woman was looking to move out of Marshall’s Chandler Drive apartment.

Court heard that the woman was punched repeatedly in her head, chest and stomach.

She was hospitalized for facial fractures and other injuries.

The attack was so severe that Marshall was initially charged with attempted murder.

His charge was downgraded when he agreed to plead guilty to aggravated assault.

Speaking outside court, defence lawyer Craig Parry said he hoped the sentence would allow Marshall to receive help for his issues with alcohol, anger and domestic violence.

Parry had argued for a sentence of between three and five years, while the Crown sought a six-year term.