LISBON — A Salem man who choked a 5-year-old boy to near strangulation was sentenced to 33 months in prison on Thursday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.

William Aldrich, 33, Jennings Avenue, Salem, had pleaded guilty in May to charges of endangering children and trespass in a habitation.

“Every incident I have had, alcohol has been part of it,” Aldrich said before he was sentenced by Judge Scott Washam. “I don’t want to be that person any more. I don’t want to live my life in a haze … I’m requesting some help.”

Aldrich also asked for a report date if he was sentenced so he could continue working a construction job and so he can give money to his children and their mother.

One of his two defense attorneys, Christopher Weeda, said he had two letters from people in support of Aldrich, including one from his father, Wayne Aldrich. Weeda read a portion of the letter which stated while he understood there may be some serious consequences for what his son had done, he hoped the judge would consider structuring the sentence in a way that would give him some help for his alcohol problems.

“William is at his best when he is working toward something,” Weeda read.

Assistant County Prosecutor Ryan Weikart had asked for a year for one charge and two years for the other, asking that the sentences run consecutively due to the fact there were separate victims and things happened on separate dates.

On Nov. 25, 2017, Aldrich disciplined a child by administering corporal punishment, striking the child with his hand or fist and then choking the child to the point where he could not breathe or talk. The choking resulted in signs of serious damage including petechiae, abrasions and subconjunctival hemorrhaging. Court documents also state the choking affected the boy’s respiration and the delivery of blood and oxygen to his brain.

The other charge, trespass in a habitation, stems from his actions on Sept. 23, 2017, when Aldrich trespassed into the home of Patrick and Donna Smith, Fair Avenue, Salem. First he removed the air conditioning unit from the window and then entered the house while the couple was present. The charge was a fourth-degree felony.

Weikart also noted this is not the first time Aldrich has been charged with a crime of violence, stating he has been charged twice with domestic violence, but both times the charges were reduced.

While Washam said he agreed Aldrich may need alcohol treatment, he questioned why he has not taken those steps already himself. Washam said the presentencing investigation found that Aldrich took his first alcohol at age 13 and he is now 33, but in 20 years he has not taken the steps to break the pattern.

Additionally, Washam said he believes Aldrich did not just walk into the Smiths’ home as he has claimed and believes he broke in by removing the air conditioner.

Finally, Washam pointed out his drinking caused him to choke a 5-year-old child.

Aldrich was credited with 47 days served and Washam said he will have to deal with bench warrants from Auburn, N.Y., and Ashtabula County.

djohnson@mojonews.com