New Bedford domestic abuser sentenced to 5 years despite victim’s refusal to testify

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said that a man was convicted of of violently assaulting his ex-girlfriend despite the victim refusing to testify.

Matthew Torres, a 28-year-old New Bedford man, was convicted of aggravated assault and battery with serious bodily injury and domestic assault and battery.

Quinn said that New Bedford Police responded to a residence for a domestic disturbance on Sept, 23, 2022 after a caller said that their friend was attacked by her ex-boyfriend.

Police then met with the victim, who said that the suspect was high on drugs when he, punched her in the face multiple times and locked her dog in a kennel.

Quinn said the victim was later brought to a hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured eye socket and a broken nose.

He added that during the trial, the victim cut off her testimony and refused to answer questions despite being granted immunity, but the prosecution was able to continue with the trial using the victim’s statements to police at the time of the incident as well as testimony from the 911 caller, two police officers, an EMT and the emergency room doctor.

Torres was sentenced to serve five years in state prison.

Quinn said that Torres is a repeat offender with a nine-page criminal record, including at least three other jail or state prison sentences for crimes ranging from domestic violence to burglary.