FARMINGTON — A Wilton man was sentenced Thursday in Franklin County Superior Court for assaulting his neighbor, who beeped his horn daily to say goodbye to his daughter.

Earlier this month, a jury found Dean Martin Jr., 38, guilty of felony assault for punching Hutch McPheters in October 2012. The men lived across Lothrop Street from each other.

According to testimony at his trial, Martin became irate because McPheters beeped his horn three consecutive times each day when he left home as a way of saying goodbye to his daughter.

Martin thought the beeping was directed at him, Wilton police officer Timothy Coombs testified.

Assistant District Attorney James Andrews told the jury Martin challenged McPheters to get out of his vehicle and threatened to assault him. When McPheters replied, “I thought you only hit women,” Martin struck him.

Defense attorney Linda Sparks said Martin didn’t deny punching McPheters; he was provoked by the comment and the circumstances.

Justice Michaela Murphy sentenced Martin to four years in prison with all but 21  months suspended and two years of probation. He is not to have alcohol or drugs, not to have contact with victims, and must have counseling.

In a plea agreement, he was also sentenced to one year for driving after revocation, one year for domestic violence assault and six months for violating conditions of release. All three sentences will be served concurrently with the assault sentence. He was also fined $1,000 on the driving after revocation charge.

A domestic violence charge involving a child, and two civil charges were dismissed.

Sparks asked that Martin be given time to remove items from his home before he began his sentence, but Murphy denied the request.

abryant@sunjournal.com