Former Washougal police Officer Robert Ritchie attends his assault trial at Clark County District Thursday. A judge found Ritchie guilty and sentenced him to a suspended sentence and two days of house arrest. Photo

A Clark County District Court judge Wednesday convicted and sentenced a former Washougal police officer for attacking a mentally ill man restrained in the backseat of a police cruiser.

In a bench ruling, Judge Sonya Langsdorf convicted Robert E. Ritchie, 53, of fourth-degree assault for a July incident in which he twice punched 26-year-old Tyler Lampman in the face after taking the man into custody. Fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor.

Langsdorf sentenced Ritchie to two days of house arrest, a $100 fine and two years of bench probation, during which he’s to have no contact with Lampman.

In September, Ritchie was fired from the Washougal Police Department over the incident.

The defense had asked for a lenient sentence because of Ritchie’s 29-year career as a police officer.

Defense attorney Jaime Goldberg said although he expected a not guilty verdict, he was content with the judge’s sentence.