Gonic man to serve no jail time in infant assault case

Ryan Hughes (Rochester Police photo)

DOVER - A Gonic man who was indicted on charges of assaulting an infant was given a suspended sentence earlier this week meaning he will serve no jail time as long as he complies with all court-ordered treatment including drug and alcohol counseling.

Ryan Hughes, 24, of 67 Ledgeview Drive, pleaded guilty on Wednesday morning in Strafford County Superior Court to assaulting the four-month-old girl.

He was given a two to five year prison sentence, all deferred.
Frisbie Memorial Hospital reported to Rochester police and the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families on July 12, 2016, that they had treated an infant with a potentially fractured clavicle.

After an investigation, it was determined that Hughes was caring for the infant at the time of the injury; an arrest warrant was issued.
Hughes turned himself in at the police station on July 22, 2016, and was charged with a Class A felony assault. He has been free since on $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

Hughes had faced up to 30 years in prison on a charge of first degree assault alleged to have occurred on infant on July 12, 2016.
The investigation began when Rochester Police Detectives responded to Frisbie Memorial Hospital to assist state DCYF officials with an investigation concerning injuries suffered by a four-month-old female.
The indictment says Hughes "did recklessly cause serious bodily injury to (the victim) ... by pulling her arm resulting in a right clavicle fracture."

As part of his sentence Hughes will also have to attend domestic violence counseling.