FALL RIVER — A Taunton man convicted of raping and assaulting his young relative for years has been sentenced to serve 15 to 17 years in state prison.

Deosdete Faria, 32, of Taunton, was convicted of rape-aggravated by age, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a child and battery on a person under 14.

During the six-day trial in Fall River Superior Court, it was revealed that the 11-year-old victim ran away in April of 2016 after being beaten with a belt by the defendant. When she was found, the child had bruising on her face, shoulder and back. She then disclosed that Faria had been molesting her for around four years.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Thompson argued for a 20 to 25 year state prison term with a five year probation. The defense had recommended at 10 year state prison term with no probation.

The judge sentenced to Faria to serve 15 to 17 years, followed by five years of supervised probation.

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