Repeat offender gets five-year prison term

A 48-year-old Kalispell man was sentenced Wednesday in Flathead District Court to five years in the Montana State Prison after pleading guilty to felony partner or family member assault.

Ronnie Arthur assaulted a woman in a Liberty Street apartment on July 21. The woman sustained a black eye, swelling on the right side of her face, bleeding around her mouth and several bruises, along with having her dentures knocked out.

Arthur told police that he was defending himself and displayed minor scratches, but no injuries similar to those sustained by the victim, who was transported to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. 

She later told police she and Arthur had decided to drink and then got in an argument about her dog. She had no recollection of sustaining her injuries, only of Arthur choking her before she blacked out.

Arthur previously was convicted of partner or family member assault in September 1994, March 1997 and March 2006 as well as aggravated assault with domestic abuse in July 1997. He had also been designated a violent offender.

In addition to his prison time, Arthur was ordered to pay nearly $3,600 in restitution, a $1,500 fine, a $200 public defender fee, a surcharge of $160 and any future medical expenses for the victim.