JC man gets prison for assault

A Jefferson City man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for pleading guilty to charges in connection with an assault that occurred in March.

Kenneth Clark, 27, of 2603 Southridge Drive, pleaded guilty to felonious restraint and second-degree domestic assault. A charge of second-degree robbery was dismissed. His sentence will run concurrent with all other Department of Corrections sentences against him.

Jefferson City police said the incident started at the Spirit Bar on Missouri Boulevard.

The victim said she was inside the bar when Clark came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her neck and bit her left cheek. He then threatened to beat her head against the wall if she didn't come outside with him.

Clark instructed her to take him to her car, which was parked at Capitol Plaza Hotel. He then wanted her to take him to his home on Southridge.

Once outside the bar, the victim tried to run from Clark, but he chased and caught her then threw her to the ground and kicked her numerous times.

After assaulting the victim, Clark again demanded she take him to her car. The two went to Capitol Plaza, and after getting there, the two went inside the hotel, where the victim tried to use a restroom. Clark followed her inside and punched her in the face numerous times.

The two got into the victim's car, where Clark told her to drive him to an ATM so she could get him some money. They went to the Employment Security Credit Union on East Miller Street, where the victim withdrew $200.

Clark took the money and had the victim drive him to his home. He continued to strike the victim in her face as she drove.

When the victim parked the car, she ran to a nearby home for safety. Clark had obtained the victim's phone during this altercation and used it to call her friends.

The victim had extensive injuries to her face, arm and hand, and there was blood on her clothing, as well as a large amount of blood found at the bathroom in the hotel and in her car.

Clark has two prior convictions for resisting arrest and two prior convictions for domestic assault.

Charges against Clark in connection with an assault case from June 2014 were dismissed.