Edward Robinson Jr., 54, of Lansdale.
A former Upper Gwynedd Township police officer has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to the violent assault of his then-girlfriend in February 2019.
As part of a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors, Edward Robinson Jr., 54, of Lansdale, has been sentenced to two-to-five-years in state prison followed by five years of probation, after pleading guilty to one felony count of strangulation and one misdemeanor count of unlawful restraint. Charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and harassment were dismissed as part of the agreement, according to court records.
Additional conditions imposed by Judge Gary Silow include that Robinson undergo a mental health evaluation and avoid further contact with the victim. Robinson previously worked as an officer with the Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department for 20 years, but was no longer working in law enforcement at the time of the assault.
According to a report by Carl Hessler Jr. at the Pottstown Mercury, the victim choked back tears as she testified in court, stating that she believed she was going to die. The report states that prior to Judge Silow accepting the plea agreement, he asked the victim if she supported it and if she was satisfied with the outcome.
“I am, your honor,” said the victim, according to Pottstown Mercury report.
According to the criminal complaint, police were dispatched to the 200 block of South Line Street at 8:06 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2019, for a report of a physical assault in progress. Upon arrival, police encountered a female victim with a severe injury to her right eye, who said that Robinson had attacked her and was still in the home. The victim was described as hysterical, repeatedly saying “he put his thumb in my eye,” police said.
The report states that the victim informed police that Robinson had been violent with her in the past. Robinson allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat with one hand while gouging her right eye with the other hand, according to the report. The victim eventually broke free, then ran to the bathroom and called police, the report states.
Police were later informed by Abington Hospital that the victim had sustained a significant eye injury, which caused her to lose partial vision, according to the report.
Robinson was arraigned on Feb. 16 by Magisterial District Judge Margaret Hunsicker, who set bail at $10,000 cash. Robinson was bailed out later that day, and remained free until his sentencing.
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