By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

A Spencer man with a long list of convictions dating to 1997 was convicted of felony habitual misdemeanor assault following a jury trial this week.

Billy Floyd Pless Jr., 62, was convicted in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court and was sentenced by Judge Stuart Albright to a minimum of 11 months to a maximum of 23 months in prison. He’ll receive credit for nearly three months spent in jail prior to trial.

Pless was just charged earlier this week by Spencer Police after he repeatedly called 911 for a ride to his van and refused to leave Hendrix Barbecue in Spencer after the business was closed. He was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

The trial stemmed from a Jan. 8 court date where Pless appeared in court to face a charge of communicating threats against Karen Hinson. Pless was found guilty and received a suspended sentence. After court, he slammed into Hinson with his motorized wheelchair, knocking Hinson against a wall and bruising her leg.

Pless has 30 convictions that include assault on a female, communicating threats, domestic criminal trespass, assault with a deadly weapon, hit and run, harassing phone calls, and disorderly conduct.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook said she “appreciated Assistant District Attorney Barrett Poppler in preparing and prosecuting the case for trial.”

Cook said Pless has a lengthy criminal history and she is also appreciative of the victim coming forward to testify in this matter.

Pless gave the court notice that he plans to appeal the decision.