AUGUSTA (AP) — A Chelsea man has been convicted of domestic violence in a case that ignited debate because prosecutors arrested the victim even though she was not accused of a crime.

Robert Robinson Jr. was convicted last week by a judge who presided over a jury-waived trial last November.

Prosecutors said the 45-year-old Robinson severely beat his girlfriend last April.

Prosecutors had the woman arrested and held for 17 hours as a “material witness” after learning she might not testify at trial.

District Attorney Maeghan Maloney said without her testimony the case could have been dismissed because she was the only witness.

Though legal under state law, the arrest outraged the victim’s attorney.

Robinson’s attorney said his client was sleepwalking and in an altered state of consciousness during the assault.