Man sentenced to 5 years in prison for attacking Rep. Maryam Khan – NBC Connecticut

The man who pleaded guilty to attacking Rep. Maryam Khan last June was sentenced to five years in prison in Hartford on Tuesday.

“I am glad that this has come to a conclusion. I look forward to putting this behind me and moving forward,” said MP Maryam Khan.

“No one can read the statement prepared by the representative without understanding and almost feeling how terrifying this event must have been,” the judge said.

On Tuesday, Andrey Desmond was sentenced to five years in prison with 15 years of special probation and a restraining order for attacking Rep. Maryam Khan outside the XL Center in Hartford in June 2023.

“Ensure that Mr. Desmond receives the supervision he needs within the community to ensure that the community is safe and that Mr. Desmond completes all drug treatments ordered by the court,” Khan’s attorney said.

Desmond pleaded guilty in the spring to attempted sexual abuse, strangulation and endangerment of a minor.

“He is so sorry for causing pain. He was completely decompensated, his schizophrenia had taken over,” Desmond’s lawyer said during the hearing.

Desmond’s lawyer pointed to the patient’s long history of mental health problems and said he deeply regretted his actions.

“All I wanted to say was that events were beyond my control. I had no self-control,” Desmond told the court.

After the hearing, MP Khan said the case overall highlights some of the deficiencies in the mental health care system.

“Unfortunately, this is the result of some of those shortcomings, so I am glad to be in a position to do something about it,” said MP Khan.