http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/prosecutor/pressrelease/Karate%20school%20instructor%20pleads%20guilty%20to%20sexual%20assault.htm
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Karate school instructor pleads guilty to sexual assault
Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan announced that an Old Bridge karate school instructor pleaded guilty today to a charge of sexually assaulting a female student.
Patrick Betterton, (DOB 11/13/84) of 556 Marlboro Road, Old Bridge, pleaded guilty to a single count of second-degree sexual assault, admitting he had sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old student in Old Bridge on one occasion, sometime between March and April 2007.
Under a plea agreement negotiated with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Linda Estremera, the defendant faces six years in a New Jersey state prison when he is sentenced Oct. 5, 2009, by Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick.
As part of the plea agreement, Betterton will be listed on the state’s registry for sex offenders, and will be required to undergo parole supervision for the rest of his life.
Betterton, who remains in custody at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center, pleaded guilty to an accusation after waiving his right to have the case reviewed by a Middlesex County grand jury.
He was arrested and charged Feb. 19, 2009, at his studio, Tristar Martial Arts, after an investigation by Old Bridge Detective Richard Tulko and Investigator Daniel Ruschak, of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, determined the girl had been sexually assaulted.
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Karate school instructor pleads guilty to sexual assault
Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan announced that an Old Bridge karate school instructor pleaded guilty today to a charge of sexually assaulting a female student.
Patrick Betterton, (DOB 11/13/84) of 556 Marlboro Road, Old Bridge, pleaded guilty to a single count of second-degree sexual assault, admitting he had sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old student in Old Bridge on one occasion, sometime between March and April 2007.
Under a plea agreement negotiated with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Linda Estremera, the defendant faces six years in a New Jersey state prison when he is sentenced Oct. 5, 2009, by Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick.
As part of the plea agreement, Betterton will be listed on the state’s registry for sex offenders, and will be required to undergo parole supervision for the rest of his life.
Betterton, who remains in custody at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center, pleaded guilty to an accusation after waiving his right to have the case reviewed by a Middlesex County grand jury.
He was arrested and charged Feb. 19, 2009, at his studio, Tristar Martial Arts, after an investigation by Old Bridge Detective Richard Tulko and Investigator Daniel Ruschak, of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, determined the girl had been sexually assaulted.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/old_bridge_karate_instructor_g.html
Old Bridge karate instructor gets six years for sex with 14-year-old student
Sue Epstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Sue Epstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 17, 2010 at 9:38 PM, updated February 18, 2010 at 5:13 AM
OLD BRIDGE -- An karate instructor was sentenced today to six years in state prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student.
Patrick Betterton, 25, told Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz in New Brunswick he was sorry for having a sexual relationship for more than a year with a 14-year-old student.
"I realize I made a mistake and because of my lack of judgment, I hurt somebody," Betterton told the judge.
Before he spoke, the victim told the judge "he took so many things from me."
The sentence of six years was part of a plea deal worked out between Betterton and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
He has to serve two years before he is eligible for parole.
"Your conduct was reprehensible," Ferencz told Betterton. "You showed a callous disregard for a 14-year-old."
An investigation by the prosecutor’s office in February 2009 revealed Betterton sexually abused the girl in his studio, Tristar Martial Arts, and in his home between March 2007 and March 2008.
He was originally charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault last year.
Old Bridge karate instructor gets six years for sex with 14-year-old student
Sue Epstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Sue Epstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 17, 2010 at 9:38 PM, updated February 18, 2010 at 5:13 AM
OLD BRIDGE -- An karate instructor was sentenced today to six years in state prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student.
Patrick Betterton, 25, told Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz in New Brunswick he was sorry for having a sexual relationship for more than a year with a 14-year-old student.
"I realize I made a mistake and because of my lack of judgment, I hurt somebody," Betterton told the judge.
Before he spoke, the victim told the judge "he took so many things from me."
The sentence of six years was part of a plea deal worked out between Betterton and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
He has to serve two years before he is eligible for parole.
"Your conduct was reprehensible," Ferencz told Betterton. "You showed a callous disregard for a 14-year-old."
An investigation by the prosecutor’s office in February 2009 revealed Betterton sexually abused the girl in his studio, Tristar Martial Arts, and in his home between March 2007 and March 2008.
He was originally charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault last year.
http://sub.gmnews.com/news/2009-02-26/front_page/021.html
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2009-02-26 / Front Page
Karate instructor charged with sexual assault of girl
OLD BRIDGE — A local karate school instructor has been arrested on charges that he sexually assaulted a female student.
Patrick Betterton, 24, of Marlboro Road in Old Bridge, was arrested at his studio, Tristar Martial Arts, on Feb. 19, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan and Old Bridge Police Chief Thomas Collow. Betterton was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
An investigation by Old Bridge Police Detective Richard Tulko and Investigator Daniel Ruschak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office led to the arrest. Authorities said the investigation determined that Betterton allegedly sexually abused the girl on various occasions in his studio and in his home between March 2007 and March 2008, when the girl was 15 years old.
Betterton was being held on $250,000 bail at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick.
Anyone with information on the accusations or any similar alleged activity is asked to call Detective Tulko at 732-721- 5600 or Investigator Ruschak at 732-745- 3600.
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
2009-02-26 / Front Page
Karate instructor charged with sexual assault of girl
OLD BRIDGE — A local karate school instructor has been arrested on charges that he sexually assaulted a female student.
Patrick Betterton, 24, of Marlboro Road in Old Bridge, was arrested at his studio, Tristar Martial Arts, on Feb. 19, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan and Old Bridge Police Chief Thomas Collow. Betterton was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
An investigation by Old Bridge Police Detective Richard Tulko and Investigator Daniel Ruschak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office led to the arrest. Authorities said the investigation determined that Betterton allegedly sexually abused the girl on various occasions in his studio and in his home between March 2007 and March 2008, when the girl was 15 years old.
Betterton was being held on $250,000 bail at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick.
Anyone with information on the accusations or any similar alleged activity is asked to call Detective Tulko at 732-721- 5600 or Investigator Ruschak at 732-745- 3600.