SALISBURY — Thomas James Nicholas, 29, was sentenced Monday to at least eight years in prison on two counts of felony attempted first-degree statutory sex offense and taking indecent liberties with a child.

In October 2017, the Salisbury Police Department received a report of a sexual assault on Monroe Street. The victim’s mother reported that her son, who was 10 years old at the time, told her that Nicholas touched him inappropriately.

Police were called to investigate the report at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center later that day.

The mother indicated that Nicholas was a family friend who had been living in her home. The child was interviewed at the Terrie Hess House Children’s Advocacy Center and explained the incident. The information he gave was consistent with what his mother initially reported.

Judge Anna Mills Wagoner sentenced Nicholas to a minimum of eight years to a maximum of 14 years in prison, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tim Gould.