An Auburn man was sentenced to 18 months in the Cayuga County Jail - six months shy of the maximum local jail sentence allowed - for three separate domestic violence and property damage incidents.

Joshua D. Taro, 28, with a last known address of 137 Osborne St., bashed car windows with a Louisville Slugger Feb. 28 after repeatedly calling a victim to leave the area and move her car. He violated an order of protection, and pulled a woman's hair and slapped her May 18.

In the baseball bat incident on Osborne Street, Taro pleaded guilty in Auburn City Court Thursday to the misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief. Taro's plea was a reduction from the felony charge of third-degree criminal mischief.

Taro also pleaded guilty in two domestic violence-related cases. He pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of second-degree contempt. He also pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree menacing for the May 18 incident.

Taro was sentenced by Judge Michael McKeon to three separate six-month terms for each of the incidents. He also was fined a total of $50. McKeon granted orders of protection.

Also in court:

€ Jeff S. Lofft, 26, of 8431 Centerport Road, Port Byron, was sentenced to three years probation and 60 days of weekend jail time in the Cayuga County Jail for forcibly entering an Auburn woman's home in April and threatening to take her infant daughter.

Lofft previously pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor crimes of second-degree criminal contempt and fourth-degree criminal mischief in satisfaction of felony crimes of burglary and criminal contempt.

Lofft also was ordered to participate in the city of Auburn's domestic violence court and participate in the domestic violence RESPECT counseling program. An order of protection was granted.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net