@CPaullinNBH

NEW BRITAIN - A Plainville man pleaded guilty in New Britain Superior Court Thursday to substituted charges in a sexual assault case that involved a 13 year old.

Nicholas Oliver, 27, pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless endangerment, unlawful restraint and coercion and received a sentence of one year in prison, suspended, with two years probation for each charge. The sentence is to run consecutively, for a total sentence of three years in prison, suspended, with two years probation.

Oliver was originally charged with risk of injury to a victim less than 16 years old and fourth-degree sexual assault, which are felony charges. The substituted charges are misdemeanors, state prosecutor Elizabeth Moseley said. It was not clear why the prosecution substituted the charges. The case already had a jury selected as it was scheduled for trial, and Oliver’s attorney, Charles Thompson III, said he had extensive discussions with his client before making the decision to take the plea instead of going to trial.

Oliver, who said in court Thursday he has a nursing degree, was arrested by Southington police on June 13, 2015 after police were called to a residence in Southington, the state prosecutor said. Oliver was living there with his aunt and uncle, she added, and, a 13-year-old. Oliver, who was 23 at the time, and the 13 year old both lived in the basement, Moseley said.

About two to three times a week, Oliver would touch the legs, thighs and bare stomach of the victim while sitting on a couch in the basement, Moseley continued. The touching escalated, Moseley said. The victim told Oliver to stop, but he didn’t, Moseley said.

Oliver said he did not dispute the facts of the case the prosecution presented and understood that he was giving up his right to a trial by accepting the plea.

Oliver is scheduled to be sentenced at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 18. He is released from custody on $150,000 bond.

The victim and her family were in court Thursday. Attorney Kerry Robair, representing the victim, said the victim was OK with the deal.

Charlie Paullin can be reached at 860-801-5074 or cpaullin@centralctcommunciations.com.