A New Bedford man is going to prison for brutally beating his girlfriend between August of 2013 and February of 2014.

The District Attorney's office says 30 year old Terry Ward pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a host of domestic violence related charges.

Fall River Superior Court Judge E-Susan Garsh sentenced Ward to five to eight years in state prison, plus six years supervised probation when he gets out.

In one instance, Ward threw his girlfriend up against a car and a wall.  Another time, prosecutors say he threatened her with a knife and held her arm against a hot radiator, causing lifelong scarring.

District Attorney Thomas Quinn said "this type of criminal behavior must not be tolerated in our communities." He added, "his office will continue to recommend severe prison sentences in cases of this type."

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420