As her husband sat at a table a few feet away, bound in handcuffs, Cassandra Jackson asked Judge Michael Dodge to give leniency to her partner during his court hearing Friday morning at the Cass County Circuit courthouse.

“My husband has a severe alcohol problem, and I am in support of him getting treatment and help,” Jackson said. “I am six months pregnant with our child, and I would like for him to be here for the child, to have his support.”

Jackson spoke in defense of her husband, Christopher, despite the fact that he was being sentenced for assaulting her earlier in the year. She said that his violent tendencies come as a result of his dependency to alcohol, though he is only 20 years old.

“You can tell from the emotion she expressed today that she loves her husband,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. “But her husband is, at times, a very dangerous person.”

Judge Dodge sentenced Jackson to 240 days in jail and two years of probation on charges of domestic violence. He was given credit for 55 days already served, and given the option to have the last 120 days served at the Twin County Probation center. He must also serve 90 days on tether.

According the court, Christopher Jackson physically assaulted his wife during an argument that ensued after the Decatur resident had been drinking in October. During the altercation, Jackson placed his wife in a headlock, choked her and punched her the stomach. She was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of the assault.

“He could have terminated the life of his child,” Fitz said. “That is a serious, serious offense.”

Jackson has been charged with domestic violence two other times prior to his arrest.

While delivering his sentence, Dodge told Jackson that his time on probation would serve as an opportunity for him to conquer his drinking problem.

“I recognize this is causing some big problems for your family, with you not being there to support them,” Dodge said. “But, first and foremost, the court has to address this alcohol problem before you’re allowed to go back home, so that it doesn’t present a continuing problem for your wife.”

Also sentenced Friday were:

• Jeremy Grierson, 27, of Niles, to 300 days in jail and two years probation on charges of domestic violence and assault. The charges stem from an incident that took place on July 25, when his wife, Talina, told authorities that he choked her and threatened her with a handgun. He was given 135 days credit for time served.

• Bonita King, 42, of Cassopolis, to one year probation on charges of possession of methamphetamine. King was arrested on Aug. 13 after admitting to officers with Cass County Drug Enforcement Team that she used the substance during a search of her friend’s residence. Her driver’s license was also suspended for 180 days.

• Richard Tucker, 51, of Lagrange, Ind., to 300 days in jail on charges of failing to register as a sex offender. The charges stem from his failure to report his change is residency with the Michigan State Police. He was given 58 days credit for time served.

• Ivan Walton, 21, of Sauk Villiage, Ill., to 150 days in jail and two years probation on charges of forgery and uttering and publishing. The charges stem from an incident on Oct. 9, where Walton attempted to cash a forged check at the Sears Hometown store in Dowagiac. He was given 59 days credit for time served.

• Vernon Gresham, 47, of Dowagiac, to 300 days in jail on charges of domestic violence. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 25, after Gresham assaulted his girlfriend, Carrie Trigg, during an argument. He was given 169 days credit for time served.

• Louis Randall, 23, of Kalamazoo, to a maximum of five years in prison on charges of larceny. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 25, when Randall broke into the home Robert Wieland, of Union, stealing a large amount of power tools and gardening equipment. He was given 451 days credit for time served.

• Jimmie Brown, 53, of Niles, to 240 days in jail for possession of cocaine. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Oct. 8 after authorities discovered a used crack pipe at his residence. He was given 60 days credit for time served, and had his driver’s license suspended for 180 days.

• Oscar Jones, 26, of Jones, to 180 days in jail for delivery and manufacturing of cocaine. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Oct. 4, after his parole officer discovered crack cocaine at his residence during a routine search.