PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. – A Cape Breton man is headed to prison after pleading guilty to a domestic assault that sent a woman to hospital with serious injuries.

Michael Ronald O’Neil was sentenced Thursday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court to five 1/2 years in prison minus 15 months’ credit for time already served.

The 52-year-old had previously been charged with attempted murder and forcible confinement in connection with an incident in April 2011 involving a 41-year-old woman.

He pleaded guilty in May to one count of aggravated assault while the other two charges were withdrawn.

O’Neil addressed the court during his sentencing hearing in Port Hawkesbury, apologizing for what happened.

(CIGO)