ORANGE — A local man from Athol was sentenced to 18 months in jail after being convicted on multiple counts of indecent assault and battery on a child, authorities said Wednesday.
Gregory J. Batchelor, 50, faced a jury trial which ended in his conviction on four counts of indecent assault and battery involving two victims.
The incidents occurred in Athol during 2019 and 2022.
Orange District Court Judge Danielle Williams ordered Batchelor’s incarceration in the Franklin House of Correction.
Following his jail term, Batchelor will be on probation for three years with strict conditions.
He is prohibited from contacting the victims, must register as a sex offender, and is barred from unsupervised contact with children under 16.
The court further mandated that he undergo evaluations for substance use and sex offending, comply with any recommended treatment, and maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol.
The trial, which lasted two days, featured testimony from five children and an adult on behalf of the prosecution.
Batchelor also took the stand in his defense.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jillian Parent, with Alexander Sneirson of Springfield representing the defense.
