A Lansford Borough councilman who pleaded guilty to an assault that hospitalized a man with a traumatic brain injury for five weeks was sentenced 42 to 84 months in state prison.

Jay Doyle, 50, of West Water Street, appeared Tuesday morning before Carbon County President Judge Roger N. Nanovic, who imposed the sentence.

Doyle, who had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with intent attempt to cause serious bodily harm, was given credit for six days served following his arrest in August 2023 and must also pay restitution of $967.43, court costs and fees.

He must also undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations and comply with recommendations, and successfully complete an anger management program.

Doyle, who begins his sentence on Monday, must have no contact with the victim.

Friends and family members spoke on Doyle’s behalf before sentencing, calling him “a compassionate, gentle person,” “a good neighbor,” and a “standup guy” who made “a bad decision on a bad day.”

They talked about his contributions to the community as a borough councilman, a Little League and football coach, a neighbor, someone always willing to help, and also as a father, who raised four children who weren’t his own.

His attorney, Angelo Almonti, talked about Doyle serving his country in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, his work as a self-employed contractor and his remorse for what happened in only a few minutes of his 50-year life span.

An emotional Doyle turned and apologized to the victim and told him that he would trade places with him if he could.

“I messed up. I’m not a bad person,” Doyle told the judge. “I’m not a bad guy. I’m very apologetic.”

Assistant District Attorney Kara Beck read a statement from the victim, who has suffered with memory and other problems since the assault.

In the statement, the victim called himself “a changed person” since the assault and injuries he suffered, and that it’s affected every aspect of his life.

The injuries forced him off a list of a kidney transplant and now he must begin the process again. He also separated from his girlfriend of 32 years, and finds himself short-fused and agitated.

The victim also had family and friends speak on his behalf, saying that he is not the same person and never will be again, and he didn’t deserve what was taken from him.

Nanovic asked several questions of the victim, including those about his condition, cost of treatment and whether he made death threats against Doyle. He emphatically denied the latter.

The victim spent five weeks in a hospital due to the traumatic brain injury, having a portion of his skull removed and then later replaced, he said. The medical costs were close to $1 million, which insurance covered, he said.

Nanovic asked what he thought he should do, and the victim told him that Doyle should have known better than to do what he did.

He asked the judge to watch the video surveillance of the incident before passing sentence. The judge agreed.

According to arrest papers, the video showed Doyle approach the victim, a verbal argument ensues and Doyle strikes the man in the head.

The video also showed that Doyle then continued to strike him while he was down on the ground, walk away and then return to confront him with a pocket knife, placing it against his forehead.

After watching, Nanovic said he understood that Doyle has done good things, but it’s also true that good people do bad things and that the assault had devastating effects on the victim’s life.