Demetrius D. Couzens, 37, previously of the 1300 block of Monomoy Street, Aurora, and most recently of the 0-99 block of Galligan Road, Gilberts, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, agreed to a sentence of five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to aggravated domestic battery with great bodily harm, a Class 2 felony. CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office

An Aurora man has been sent to prison for severely beating his girlfriend, an incident that took place less than three months after his release from parole for attempted murder.

Demetrius D. Couzens, 37, previously of the 1300 block of Monomoy Street, Aurora, and most recently of the 0-99 block of Galligan Road, Gilberts, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, agreed to a sentence of five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to aggravated domestic battery with great bodily harm, a Class 2 felony.

Associate Judge Thomas Stanfa accepted the plea.

On March 17, 2013, at the Gilberts residence the couple shared, the victim and Couzens began to argue. The victim attempted to leave hoping Couzens would calm down, but he blocked her exit. Couzens then punched the victim, knocking her to the floor, and continued to punch and kick her about the face and body. Couzens then picked up a hammer and threatened to kill the victim with it. The victim then was able to escape and went to a business below the apartment. A patron who saw her swollen, bloodied face called 911. The victim was hospitalized for her injuries.

In 2005, Couzens was sentenced to eight years in prison on a Winnebago County attempted murder conviction for the brutal beating of a female acquaintance.

According to Illinois law, Couzens must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for at least 380 days served in the Kane County jail.

“This defendant is a textbook abuser who targets women,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “The collateral costs of domestic abuse are great, from the physical and psychological harm to victims, to its effects on family and friends, and the financial impact on employers. Ending domestic violence starts by removing serial abusers from the community.”

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Jamie Mosser.