Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
A Bensalem Township man accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend multiple times in Falls Township admitted to the attacks Thursday.
Patrick Dando, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday before President Judge Wallace Bateman in three separate cases. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, strangulation, and theft. In addition, he pleaded guilty to strangulation and simple assault in two other cases.
Advertisements
The three cases were all for attacks on his ex-girlfriend. The one attack happened while he was out on bail for the first two assaults, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office pointed out.
Wallace sentenced Dando to two to four years in state prison. He was also sentenced to six years of probation consecutive to his prison sentence, to not have contact with the victim, and to get mental health treatment.
The first case was for an August 7, 2020 incident at the woman’s Falls Township apartment. Dando was accused of grabbing the woman by the neck, tossing her onto the bed, and covering her mouth and nose to prevent her from screaming. The woman had injuries to her neck, chin, cheeks, and lips, authorities said.
Advertisements
Dando was accused on October 26, 2020 of roughing up the woman and throwing her to the ground after she told Dando she was ending their relationship. The enraged man allegedly blocked her from leaving the apartment and took her phone to stop her from getting help. Eventually, the woman convinced Dando to let her take the dogs out, allowing her to flee in her car to the Falls Township police station to file the report, authorities said.
In March, Dando made entry into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and claimed he wanted his dog back. He argued with the woman and wouldn’t let her leave. When she ran out of the apartment and screamed for help, Dando threw her down the steps leading to the laundry room. Dando then held her by the throat and covered her mouth and nose until the victim “blacked out.” He then took her cellphone and spare key fob for her car, authorities said.
Advertisements
Dando ended up being arrested after the third attack by the U.S. Marshals Service and Bucks County Detectives.
The first case led to Dando posting 10 percent of $40,000 bail the day after his preliminary arraignment. The second case had bail set at $25,000 unsecured in late October 2020.
Following the October assault, Assistant District Attorney Elliot Katz filed a motion to revoke the defendant’s bail after the second alleged assault. The request was denied at the time, according to a court docket.
Advertisements
Following the third attack, bail was revoked for Katz.
“Mr. Dando’s victim will be safe for only as long as his state prison sentence lasts,” District Attorney Matt Weintraub said in a statement. “After that, I fear for her safety. He has proven to be ungovernable. We will oppose his parole whenever he is eligible.”
Advertisements
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
