John A. Lake was convicted by a jury of two counts of domestic violence- third offense, unlawful imprisonment and assault by strangulation.

A Monroe man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of assaulting his partner, including threatening her life, at least three times in front of his young children.

John A. Lake was convicted by a jury of two counts of domestic violence- third offense, unlawful imprisonment and assault by strangulation, according to Monroe County Prosecutor Michael G. Roehrig.

Monroe County 38th Circuit Court Judge Daniel S. White sentenced him to 12 to 25 years – 148 to 300 months – prison on those charges Thursday afternoon.

“Lake repeatedly and violently assaulted the mother of his children,” Roehrig said. “The assaults left multiple injuries.”

On June 28 and Aug. 16, Lake violently assaulted the mother of his children, leaving multiple injuries, according to court testimony. On Aug. 30, he assaulted her again, this time reportedly by strangling her.

“During that incident, their 10-year-old child made a chilling telephone call for help,” Roehrig said. “Reporting to the 911 operator, (the child said,) ‘My dad is telling my mom he’s about to kill her. We have knives; he’s saying he’ll stab her.’” After the call, officers from the Monroe Police Department were dispatched to the home.

Lake restrained the victim, along with the 10- and 3-year old children, inside a closet in an attempt to keep them hidden from law enforcement, according to reports.

Lt. Dan Clanton and Officers Scott Pitcher and Tyler Kleinert tried to make contact with those inside the home, but reports said Lake refused to answer the door.

Officers eventually heard the victim’s cries for help and immediately made forceful entry to ensure the safety of the woman and her children, reports said.

In January, Lake stood trial on the matter. (See news report)

Assistant Prosecutor Lauren Beaudry called seven witnesses, including the victim, five city police officers and Donna Kuti, director of Monroe County Central Dispatch, according to court testimony.

Among the evidence introduced were 911 calls from three domestic violence incidents, photographs of the victim’s injuries and the emotional, highly-charged testimony of the victim, Roehrig explained.

The defense, headed by Monroe attorney Brett Perelman, called Lake to testify, and he denied committing all three assaults.

After about three hours, the jury returned four guilty verdicts.

Following sentencing, Lake was remanded to the Michigan Department of Corrections, where he’ll receive credit for 180 days served in the Monroe County jail.