An Elkhart man will spend up to 10 years in prison after he admitted to kicking a man repeatedly in the face to the point that the victim had to have his jaw wired shut and a tooth removed so he could feed himself through a straw for several weeks.

Erich Conran, 30, pleaded guilty as charged to aggravated battery in connection to the August 2014 incident, according to a news release from the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. He was sentenced Aug. 3 to 10 years in prison, followed by an opportunity to be a part of Elkhart County Community Corrections Work Release for four years, then probation for two years.

Conran broke into the victim’s home through a window and kicked him repeatedly in the face in August 2014, according to the news release. After Conran left the home, the victim flagged down a police officer, who noted that the victim was covered in blood.

The victim suffered multiple facial fractures and underwent extensive medical treatment. The work release part of Conran’s sentence will eventually allow him an opportunity to pay restitution he owes the victim for medical bills, according to the news release.

Conran initially he told police he was protecting his girlfriend because he believed the victim assaulted her, but investigators say his story changed in conversations with other people and in court.