Sentence suspended for man's fourth conviction

A 41-year-old Kalispell man was given a three-year suspended sentence for his fourth conviction of partner or family member assault.

According to court documents, on May 31, 2011, Mark Giles had been drinking and became extremely upset about his paycheck when he punched a hole through his girlfriend’s bedroom door, where she and her son had fled when he became angry.

They then locked themselves in the bathroom, but he kicked the door in and then smashed the vanity with his hand. He tried to take her ring off her left hand, but failed and shoved her down on the bed before leaving the residence.

Giles was later arrested during a traffic stop.

District Judge Stewart Stadler eliminated the requirement that he have no contact with the victim when Giles stated that it was his and her desire that he move back in with them. She was in the courtroom and concurred with his statement.

Giles also ordered to pay a $1,000 find, a $160 surcharge and a $500 public defender fee, which were part of a plea agreement along with the suspended sentence.

He could have faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.