Faces up to 14 years on strangulation, DV charges

Staff reports 11:20 a.m.


Faces up to 14 years on strangulation,  DV charges

Sean Sardinha (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man has been indicted in a domestic violence case in which he allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a screwdriver and then strangled her badly enough to impede her ability to breathe.

Sean Sardinha, 27, of 20 Winter St., faces up to 14 years in state prison if found guilty on second degree assault and domestic violence charges in the April 6 incident that occurred in Rochester.

According to court documents Sardinha strangled the victim by "applying pressure" to the victim's neck that "impeded breathing and blood circulation" and threatened her with a screwdriver, a deadly weapon.

Both charges also carry up to a $4,000 fine.

The indictments were returned on June 16 and made public last week.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that enough evidence has been presented to warrant a trial.