Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – A Brockton man has pleaded guilty to charges that he assaulted his girlfriend and then attempted to burn her apartment building down, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
Yesterday, in Brockton Superior Court, Matthew Eldredge (DOB: 05/08/82) pleaded guilty to one count each of Assault and Battery on a Family Member, Breaking and Entering at Night with Intent to Commit a Felony, Burning of a Dwelling, and Malicious Destruction of Property Over $250. Brockton Superior Court Judge Cornelius J. Moriarty sentenced Eldredge to serve 6 to 6 ½ in State Prison to be followed by three years Probation, from and after. As a result of his sentence, Eldredge must also submit to drug screens, get mental health counseling and drug treatment, and stay away and have no contact with all parties involved in this case. The Commonwealth had requested that Eldredge serve 8-10 years in State Prison.
On February 13, 2018, Eldredge broke into the home at 9 Highland Street in Brockton and attacked his girlfriend by punching her several times in the face. Eldredge fled the property after several tenants called Brockton Police. Eldredge returned an hour later, poured gasoline on all of the entrances to the building, and then set fire to the front porch, causing 11 tenants to have to evacuate the building. Brockton Fire and Brockton Police responded to the scene and located Eldredge hiding in a nearby property. His clothes were covered in gasoline. Damages to the building were estimated at $100,000.
“I commend the efforts of the Brockton Police, Brockton Fire and the state Fire Marshal’s Office to thoroughly investigate this case,” DA Cruz said.
Assistant District Attorney Alex Zane prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Brockton Police, Brockton Fire and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office.