Man sentenced for vicious New Year’s attack in Taunton

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A Massachusetts man was sentenced for viciously attacking a woman last New Year’s, prosecutors said Wednesday.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said 36-year-old Scott Fortes, of Mattapan, will serve four to six years in state prison.

Fortes pled guilty in Fall River Superior Court to strangulation, assault and battery with serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury, and domestic assault and battery.

Prosecutors said Fortes and the victim went to a family New Years Eve party in Easton. Early on Jan. 1, 2023, the two started arguing on their way home to Taunton.

Fortes allegedly hit her several times, with the attack spanning for several minutes in four rooms of the house.

He allegedly strangled her and struck her with a book, which left scarring on her forehead. She also suffered injuries including a fractured part of the jawbone.

Prosecutors said he kept the victim in the home for two days before leaving her at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Fortes has had seven restraining orders filed against him in Massachusetts.