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Man sentenced in sex assault, stalking case

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 09:03:51 pm CDT

Bart Hilding of South Bend was sentenced Friday to 21 years to 33 years in prison on stalking and sexual assault convictions stemming from a 2007 incident with a former girlfriend.

Hilding, 32, was convicted by a Lancaster County District Court jury in February on two counts of first-degree sexual assault and one count of misdemeanor stalking.

Lancaster County District Judge Jeffre Cheuvront sentenced Hilding to 10 to 16 years in prison on each of the sexual assault convictions and one year on the stalking charge. The judge gave Hilding credit for 360 days he already has spent in custody.

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Authorities arrested Hilding last year after his former girlfriend accused him of sexually assaulting her at her Lincoln apartment on two occasions in April.

The woman also claimed Hilding had bought her a puppy and twice sent her flowers at her job, even though she had ended the romantic relationship.

Hilding’s attorney argued at trial the sex was consensual and that the woman fabricated the accusations out of spite.

Prosecutors said the woman realized after the second assault that if she did not contact police the incidents would continue.


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Shannon wrote on May 3, 2008 12:54 am:
" This guy got off so easy it ain't even funny. He has ruined so many lives, including my husbands, for no reason. He will fight with anything and anyone. He needs to be behind bars for the rest of his life because he has the capability to kill someone. This is truly a sad day in justice! "

 One of many... wrote on May 3, 2008 12:01 pm:
" Thank God!!! This guy has a rap sheet about 10 pages long! I'm glad he's finally seeing some prison time for his crimes. Too bad the courts let him go so many times. Check it out on the city/county website. He has so many assaults and other crimes that were let go that its not even funny. There are so many people out there that I have just bumped into that know about this guy and have had run-ins with him. I just can't believe how the justice system has failed us on this one. Don't get me wrong, I think that most of the time justice is served. But, how many crimes does someone need to commit before we say enough is enough; this guy is a habitual criminal, and send him to do some time? Evidently ruining peoples lives, racking up their hospital bills, and changing their lives forever is not enough. I guess only the sexual assaults count. "

 another victim wrote on May 5, 2008 7:47 am:
" What a relief! I can finally close this chapter in my life. This man has not only took away a part of my life, but also put my family and friends through hell. It's about time someone was able to get the job done. I tried hard to get him locked away six to seven years ago, but the police were not this cooperative with me. I congratulate the women that put him behind bars for a very long time. Thank you, I can now live my life without looking over my shoulder. "

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