Release Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009 9:30 a.m.
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced yesterday that Patrick Henry Springer, 27 years old, previously residing in the 1300 block of Blue Jay Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia, was found guilty after a lengthy bench trial on June 2, 2009 and sentenced yesterday by Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan, on one (1) count of Aggravated Sexual Battery, one (1) count of Carnal Knowledge of a Minor, one (1) count of Rape – Victim Under 13 and one (1) count of Sexual Penetration. Judge Mahan ordered the defendant to serve a total of one-hundred and fifteen (115) years in the Virginia Department of Corrections. One hundred (100) years of that sentence was suspended conditioned upon good behavior for life, indefinite supervised probation, completion of the sex offender treatment program, no contact with the victim or the victim’s mother and payment of all court costs. The sentencing will be formally imposed November 18, 2009.
During the bench trial, Commonwealth’s evidence proved that from August 2007 to October 2008, Springer sexually assaulted a 12 year old girl. The sexual assaults occurred when the victim visited her father on the weekends. During these visits, the victim visited Springer’s home because she was good friends with Springer’s family. The victim stated that at the beginning of her 6th grade year, Springer began kissing her and the activities escalated through the year to sexual intercourse. During the initial stages, the defendant gave the victim alcohol. When this situation was discovered by Springer’s girlfriend, the victim informed Springer’s mother and brother. The victim then reported the abuse to her mother. When interviewed by law enforcement, Springer denied all allegations.
The defendant has a prior criminal history of several misdemeanor arrests that did not result in conviction.
The case was prosecuted by Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul J. Powers. Please call Julie Pickell at (757) 385-8545, if additional information is desired.
Similar Press Releases: carnal knowledge, Harvey Bryant, rape, sexual battery, sexual penetration
