Boyfriend Gets 4 Months in Woman’s Beating

A Panorama City man was sentenced to four months in jail for the Christmas Day beating of his girlfriend, who was forcibly brought to court by a sheriff’s deputy because she ignored a subpoena to appear to testify, city prosecutors said Wednesday.

Andre Williams, 25, a reputed member of a Venice-based street gang, changed his plea from not guilty to no contest to one count of spousal battery Tuesday when he saw the victim escorted into court, according to a statement issued by the Los Angeles city attorney’s office.

Williams attacked the 22-year-old victim at the couple’s home on Christmas Day, beating her with his fists and then threatening her with a knife, the statement said.

Los Angeles police officers who responded to a call for help saw scratches on the woman’s face and swelling and bruises on her forehead, the statement said.

Williams fled but was arrested in the Oakwood section of Venice on July 17, the city attorney’s office said.

The woman cooperated with authorities until she failed to appear to testify on the first day of Williams’ trial Aug. 11, the statement said. Prosecutor Debra Siedorf then obtained an order to have the woman forcibly brought into court.

Van Nuys Municipal Judge Harold Crowder ordered Williams to begin serving the jail sentence immediately, plus three years probation. Williams also must complete six months of domestic violence counseling and refrain from annoying, harassing or threatening the victim.

A similar 1991 domestic violence case against Williams was dismissed by a West Los Angeles Municipal Court judge after the victim, who lived with Williams, refused to appear for the trial and could not be located by authorities, the city attorney’s office said.