Modesto man sentenced for attacking girlfriend with hammer

A 31-year-old Modesto man has been sentenced to three years in prison for attacking his girlfriend with a hammer, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office announced this week.

Wesley Harold Clem Jr. on April 16 was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. Deputy District Attorney Elaine Casillas prosecuted the case.

Clem and his girlfriend were living in a vacant building in Modesto. Clem and the victim were arguing on Feb. 20 when the defendant threw the hammer at the woman that bounced off the cement, hit her and cut her ankle.

The woman then ran to the nearby back door of the Haven Women’s Center. Prosecutors said Clem chased her and swung the hammer at her as the victim cowered down at the back door. The hammer hit the back door, and the defendant left.

Two employees at the women’s center saw Clem swinging the hammer at the victim as he stood over her. Clem’s conviction is considered a “strike” under state’s three strikes law.

This story was originally published May 1, 2015 at 10:08 AM with the headline "Modesto man sentenced for attacking girlfriend with hammer."