Hayes sentenced to 9 years in prison

It took more than 2 years, but the man behind a brutal torture and abuse case in San Luis Obispo is going to state prison.

Timothy John Hayes was sentenced to nine years Thursday afternoon after accepting a plea deal last month.

He’s accused of beating and torturing a Ventura woman for hours in September 2014.

The sentencing in Honorable Judge Michael Duffy’s courtroom began with the victim reading a lengthy, disturbing statement in which she described what Hayes put her through on September 9, 2014.

The 27-year-old described how Hayes beat and tortured her in his home on the 500 block of Jeffrey Drive in San Luis Obispo. Investigators with the San Luis Obispo police department say the victim was eventually able to escape and drive to a Chevron on Marsh Street to report the crime. Police found here with burn marks, bruises, and cuts all over her body, as well as tape from where she was bound.

Hayes was originally facing a life sentence that included torture and false imprisonment charges before accepting the plea deal last month.

In his final remarks, Judge Duffy expressed that he sentencing will bring some closure to the victim and her family.