A man caught on video punching a 91-year-old man in the head during a carjacking outside a convenience store was sentenced Tuesday to 15 to 30 years in prison.
Deonte E. Bradley, 22, who this month pleaded guilty to carjacking and no contest to assault with intent to do great bodily harm, read an apology to Leonard Sims before being sentenced.
“I can’t say it enough. I’m sorry to Mr. Sims and his family,” Bradley said. “I realize that I must be punished for these acts.”
A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.
Bradley was arrested May 10, six days after the attack on Sims. A convenience store surveillance video showing Sims being hit in the head was broadcast on news programs and Web sites.
Sims was hospitalized the night after the attack. He has said the punches damaged his hearing.
