Upper Providence Man Sentenced to Jail for Assault

An Upper Providence resident was sentenced Wednesday to one to three years in jail on charges of aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime, terroristic threats, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person following a February 2012 incident at Victory Park in Royersford Borough. 

According to a story in The Reporter, Judge Steven T. O'Neill of the Court of Common Pleas handed down the sentence on Mark Watson, 48, of the 100 block of Orchard Court, after Watson was convicted of the charges in December. 

Watson allegedly attacked a former girlfriend who, after arriving at the park to meet with him and discuss their relationship, found him with another female friend. The victim told police that the conversation turned violent.

Police say that Watson attacked the victim with a knife and continued to punch her in the face after he was disarmed. 

Defense lawyers said Watson was intoxicated and frustrated and wanted the victim to leave him alone. The defense characterized the victim as "a jealous ex-girlfriend who had physical confrontations with Watson in the past and wanted him back in her life," according to the article. 

The female friend, Tina Marie Lightcap, pleaded guilty in a separate proceeding to tampering with evidence following the altercation, and was sentenced to two years' probation.

In addition to the jail sentence, Watson was ordered to have no contact with the victim and must pay $12,377 in restitution.