Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Sundance man sentenced for battery and possession of a deadly weapon

Austin London has been sentenced on charges related to an incident last year in which he allegedly physically assaulted a victim in their home near Sundance.

A Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was called to a residence on August 14 for reports of a man physically abusing the occupant, breaking their cell phone and threatening them with a gun. The alleged victim reported fleeing their own residence and walking to a neighbor’s house to report the incident.

The victim alleged that London had been working on their car in the garage at around 10 a.m. and had already been drinking alcohol. At that time, London allegedly grew angry with the victim over a personal disagreement.

The victim claimed that London had yelled at them, screamed in their ear, hit and pushed them and then forced them backward, before breaking a chair against the vehicle above the victim. London then allegedly threw a plate of food, which shattered next to the victim and cut their arm.

According to the deputy’s report, London then went into the house to retrieve the victim’s phone and smashed it on the garage floor, stating that he did so to prevent the victim calling the police or a family member.

London then allegedly threatened the victim several times, including the statement that he would break every bone in their body.

London allegedly calmed down as the two went into the house, but his aggressiveness is reported to have once again escalated and he resumed yelling, grabbing and pushing the victim, shoving their head and scratching under their eye.

London allegedly spat on the victim, broke their glasses and continued to drink as he did so. The victim reported throwing the bottle of alcohol down the stairs to stop him.

According to court reports, London then retrieved a rifle from the living room and went towards where the bullets are kept. The victim reportedly ran from the house and went to a neighbor’s residence, but nobody was home, so they continued to walk to find help.

As they did so, they reported hearing London’s truck on the road and decided to hide.

After approximately one hour, the victim was able to find help at another neighbor’s residence.

The deputy reports observing several injuries on the victim, including developing bruising and fingermarks, cuts, scratches and torn clothing.

London pled guilty to battery of a household member and possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent. On the first count, he was sentenced to 180 days of incarceration with 90 of those days to be suspended pending successful completion of three years of supervised probation.

On the second count, he was sentenced to between four and five years of incarceration to run consecutively to the first count, also to be suspended.

Judge James Michael Causey also ordered London to pay a $1000 fine.

 
 
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