Rochester man gets 3 1/2 to 7 for brutal DV sex assault

Adam Joseph Brill looks back toward the courtroom gallery during his plea and sentencing hearing on Tuesday at Strafford County Superior Court. (Rochester Voice photos)

DOVER - A Rochester man will serve three and a half to seven years in state prison after pleading guilty on Tuesday to a brutal sex assault on his girlfriend last May.

Adam Joseph Brill, 39, of 9F Eastern Ave., spoke quietly and in measured tones as he told Strafford County Superior Court Judge Mark E. Howard that he understood the implications of his plea and wanted to waive his right to trial.

Brill faced 13 charges in all related to the assault, including violating a protection order by continuing to call the victim at least six times from Strafford County Jail in July and August.

Adam Brill looks on as Judge Mark Howard explains the plea and sentencing process on Tuesday at Strafford County Superior Court.

Wearing olive drab jail garb and ankle and wrist shackles, Brill pleaded "guilty" one by one to all 13 charges after which he was taken away by Sheriff's deputies to begin his sentence.

Ahead of him he'll likely have to go through extensive domestic violence courses at state prison, for which he could get a six-month reduction in his sentence if he completes it successfully.

He'll also begin with 272 of pretrial credit for his stay at Strafford County Jail, where he's been confined since his arrest in the assault, which occurred on May 2.

The charges that he pleaded guilty to on Tuesday indicated he strangled the victim "by applying pressure to her throat" and attempted fellatio upon her, while the misdemeanor charges represent that he "rubbed his penis on her face," "grabbed her ears, grabbed her groin, grabbed her shirt" and "sprayed her with hairspray."

Each of the charges beside the felony will begin after the felony sentence is completed and will each consist of 12 months in jail, all suspended, for 5 years. Those other charges will run concurrently.