A man who attempted to strangle his girlfriend with a cell phone cord after habitually abusing her mentally and physically will spend 120 days in the Berrien County Jail and serve three years of probation.

Randy Devereau, 49, of Niles, was charged with attempted assault by strangulation less than murder — a five-year felony. He pleaded guilty to the charge May 10.

On Monday, Judge Angela Pasula sentenced Devereau in Berrien County Trial Court.

Before Devereau received his sentence, the victim told the court she suffered abuse for several years in her relationship with Devereau.

“I have been feeling very unsafe and very scared when he is present,” she said to the court.

The strangulation incident occurred at a residence on the 2200 block of Bicknell Ave. on April 27.

The victim said she had just returned home from work. While she was on the phone, Devereau ordered her to stop the conversation. When she did not, he put the cord around her neck and pulled until she had difficulty breathing, according to police documents.

The victim said she filed a police report at the courthouse that day.

Records also stated the ways in which Devereau sought to manipulate various aspects of his girlfriend’s life. He refused to let her cook her own meals, watch TV or even bathe herself. She was forbidden from talking on her phone after 9 p.m. because Devereau declared the hour “peace time.” Despite owning the home, the victim was not allowed to possess her own key.

“I felt like I was jailed in my own house,” the victim said.

The victim said she had filed two total police reports in regards to the abuse over the years.

As the testimony poured forth, Devereau hopped anxiously from foot to foot before the judge.

Defense Attorney Scott Sanford said his client had been cooperative with police and answered all their questions in a truthful manner.

Sanford said he believed his client suffered from a cognitive issue, though he said he could not say precisely what the issue was.

When the judge asked Devereau what his cognitive disability was, Devereau said he suffered from a number of bodily injuries on his back, head and neck.

It was determined that Devereau receives supplemental security income from Indiana. He plans to return to Indiana to do jobs for his brother, Sanford said.

“If he has a legitimate disability I need him to sign a confidentiality form [to see] specifically what it is and what he is receiving benefits for,” Pasula said.

When it was his turn to speak, Devereau expressed concern over retrieving a snow blower in the victim’s garage and furniture that he claimed was his.

The judge said the matter would need to be handled by a third party source, if the items indeed belonged to him.

“I am more concerned about what you did here to the victim,” Pasula said. “Obviously you have been abusing her for many years.”

Devereau admitted to abusing the victim and said that he still “loved” the victim.

“That is not love,” Pasula said. “That is exercising control over another person. In no way, shape or form is that love. It is probably the most crass case of abuse of power and control that I have ever seen.”

In addition to his time behind bars, Pasula ordered that Devereau undergo a mental health assessment and comply with any recommended treatment.  Because his primary residence is now in Indiana, Pasula said he did not qualify for mental heath court. Additionally, Devereau was ordered to complete a domestic violence inventory and prescribed treatment.

Also sentenced Monday:

• Jennifer Hyatt pleaded no contest to third degree larceny in a building, third degree retail fraud, child contributing to delinquency and a bench warrant probation violation. She was sentenced to two years probation, 90 days on the DOC tether and 10 days in the Berrien County Jail, with credit for three days served.

• Joseph Miltenberger, of Mishawaka, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering into a building with intent and burglar’s tools possession. He was  sentenced to 300 days in any required penitentiary, due to pending charges in Indiana.