Boyfriend convicted of assaulting woman who rejected him

MARIETTA, Ga -- An Austell man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Friday after a Cobb County jury convicted him of assaulting a woman he was dating after she refused to have sex with him.

Donatus Michale Wilkins, 45, was found guilty of aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated assault by strangulation, and hindering a 911 call.

Wilkins' sentence stipulates he will serve 16 years in custody and the rest on probation. He will have to register as a sex offender upon his release.

Prosecutors said Wilkins and the victim had been in a relationship for more than two years, and Wilkins exhibited controlling behavior, including accusing her of seeing other men and constantly monitoring where she went and who she was with.

On the evening of April 7, 2017, the woman went out to dinner with her coworkers, and Wilkins called and texted her all night. When she returned home to their Austell apartment, they argued and went to bed.

Shortly after midnight on April 8, he tried to initiate sex and the woman refused. He then got on top of her and said “you’re going to give me some.”

When the victim started to scream, Wilkins strangled her until she was unconscious. When she woke up and tried to call 911, he grabbed her phone and a struggle ensued before Wilkins fled the apartment.