Repeat abuser from Aurora sentenced to 6 years

An Aurora man convicted of beating a woman he knew in July 2019 has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Andre Harden, 50, of the 200 block of Center Avenue, was convicted of aggravated domestic battery/strangulation, seven counts of domestic battery, and unlawful restraint in misdemeanor interfering with reporting domestic violence, after a jury trial in March 2020.

According to prosecutors, Harden and the victim were arguing on July 30, 2019, when Harden threw her on a bed, grabbed her around the throat and choked her. When the she tried to escape through a window, a neighbor heard screaming and called police.

Investigators found bruising on the victim's neck, arms, chest and legs.

Harden was eligible for extended sentencing of up to 14 years in prison because of a 2011 conviction for residential burglary in Kane County and several prior convictions for domestic battery in Kane County.

Under state law, Harden must serve 85%, or a little more than four years, of the prison term issued by Judge Charles Peterson on Thursday.

Harden also gets credit for about 10 months served at the Kane County jail while the case was pending.