NORTHAMPTON — A West Warren man was sentenced Tuesday to eight to 10 years in state prison for an armed home invasion in Ware last winter.

Kyle Decell, 19, pleaded guilty in Hampshire Superior Court to charges of intimidation of a witness, home invasion, armed assault in a dwelling and armed assault with intent to rob a person over 60.

Decell broke into a Ware woman’s home just before 11 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2017 armed with a knife, assaulted the woman, and stole jewelry, cash and other personal items. After Decell left, the woman was able to call police and give a detailed description of what Decell was wearing and in what direction she believed he was headed, Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Jayme Parent said in court.

Ware Police alerted surrounding police departments about the incident and a Palmer officer spotted a man matching the given description a short time later in Palmer near West Warren Road. Decell was arrested and various items, including jewelry from the woman’s home was found in his backpack, Parent said.

Reading a victim impact statement in court Tuesday written by the woman Decell attacked, Parent said that the incident took the joy out of the woman’s life.

Parent argued for 10 to 12 years in state prison followed by 10 years of probation while defense attorney Korrina Burnham argued for five to seven years in state prison followed by 5 years of probation.

“The facts of this case are horrifying. A home invasion is one of the worst things that can happen to you,” Burnham said. “Mr. Decell has always wanted to take responsibility for this. He does not want to put this family through any more pain than they have been through.”

After a short recess, Judge Richard Carey handed down an eight to 10 year prison sentence followed by six years of probation with conditions including that he stay away and have no contact with the victim and her husband.

Decell received credit for 377 days he has already served in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Corrections.

Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.