A Westmoreland County prosecutor said prison was the only way to ensure public safety from a Greensburg man convicted of a violent attack of a former girlfriend.

Brian Curry, 36, was found guilty at trial in October for the strangulation, burglary, trespassing and other offenses in what prosecutors said was a violent attack against a woman in her own home.

“I don’t believe he is amendable to rehabilitation anymore,” said Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger during Friday’s sentencing hearing. Prosecutors sought a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani imposed a series of consecutive sentences that will result in Curry serving 16 to 32 years in prison.

Investigators claimed Curry broke into the woman’s home at about 1 a.m on Aug. 19, 2023. He choked her and threatened to inject her with a large dose of heroin then grabbed a knife, held it to her throat and attempted to cut off her hair.

Jurors acquitted Curry of aggravated assault. Feliciani dismissed one count of sexual extortion during the trial.

Ranger argued that Curry’s criminal record, which she said included an assault conviction in New Jersey, warranted a lengthy prison term. According to court records, Curry pleaded guilty in April in Westmoreland County to drug offenses and was sentenced to serve six to 12 months in jail.

Ranger also said Curry has also been unable to stay out of trouble while behind bars, having been charged with possession of drugs and a weapon at the county jail. Charges are pending in those cases, she said.

Curry rejected a plea deal before the trial that called for him to serve two to four years in prison. He maintained his innocence and initially said he intended to read a 30-page statement prior to his sentencing hearing Friday before he was stopped to allow the judge to resolve other cases.

In jail for more than a year since his arrest, Curry was later returned to the courtroom, consulted with his lawyer and family members, and declined to resume his statement.

Defense attorney Andrew Snyder asked for leniency for Curry, saying his relationship with is victim was complex and difficult.

“That night was rampant with serious drug activity,” Snyder said.

“A jury heard the evidence and found you guilty of strangulation, burglary and trespassing. The jury has spoken,” Feliciani said.