Elgin man going to prison for beating girlfriend

A 69-year-old Elgin man was found to be guilty of severely beating his girlfriend and will face a six to 30 years prison, officials said Wednesday afternoon.

According to a release by the Kane County state's attorney's office, James E. Bell, of the 400 block of South Belmont Street in Elgin, severely injured his girlfriend on June 12, 2014.

Prosecutors said the couple started to argue at the apartment they shared. After pushing the victim into a bathtub, throwing her onto a sofa and threatening to kill her, Bell grabbed the woman - who was attempting to flee the apartment - by her hair and flung her into the kitchen. The victim struck the dishwasher and fell to the floor, suffering three pelvic fractures.

According to the release, the woman then called a friend, who in turn called police. When the police arrived at the apartment, Bell initially told them the victim wasn't at home.

"Domestic violence affects everyone, and that is one reason we will pursue these cases aggressively," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said in the news release. "Mr. Bell's physical attack was cowardly, and he must understand that violence in the home is unacceptable and there are consequences for it."

Bell, who is in the Kane County jail, will next appear in court on April 15 for motions and sentencing.