SPRINGFIELD — Brian Kersey, 26, of Springfield on Wednesday admitted in a domestic violence case he assaulted his then-girlfriend, spun her Chihuahua around by its tail and broke the woman's iPad over his knee.

Kersey was sentenced to three to five years in state prison followed by two years probation by Hampden Superior Court Judge Edward J. McDonough.

The crimes to which he pleaded guilty were assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, animal cruelty and malicious destruction of property over $250.

Kersey was given a concurrent sentence for violation of the probation he was on from a 2009 case, in which the victim was the same woman.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa G. Doran said on Sept. 27, 2013, Springfield police were called to a Goodwin Street address in Indian Orchard for a reported assault.

The woman told police she and Kersey had been at the house starting at 4 p.m. and she heard her chihuahua yelping.

The victim said Kersey was spinning the dog around by its tail and sliding the dog across the floor so it struck various objects.

That incited an argument and Kersey struck the woman on a number of occasions.

Then Kersey got a large kitchen knife and poked the woman with the knife, but didn't cause serious injury, Doran said.

Doran said Kersey would not allow the woman to leave and then broke her iPad over his knee.

At around 9 p.m. the woman was able to leave and went to a neighbors to call police.

Doran said the woman did not seek medical treatment and had no serious injury.

She said the dog had some swelling in the tail area.

Doran said both this case and the 2009 case involved similar circumstances.

Defense lawyer Daniel R. Bergin said he recognized it was the second time for a domestic assault, but said, "Fortunately no one was seriously hurt."

As conditions of probation Kersey must complete a certified batterers program, have mental health counseling and treatment as determined by the Probation Department, remain drug and alcohol free and pay $450 in restitution to the victim.