BURNET — A Burnet County jury handed down the maximum sentence possible late Saturday for a former martial arts instructor accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old student and breaking into her room.
Steven Michael Backstrom, 48, was found guilty on one count of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony, indecency with a child, and one count aggravated sexual assault of a child, according to court officials.
He received a 99-year sentence on the first count and was assessed a life sentence for the second, officials said.
The trial entered its fifth day when a jury of 10 women and four men reported at 9 a.m. to 33rd state District Judge Gil Jones’ courtroom.
The girl, now 15, is Backstrom’s former student, investigators said. The incidents occurred in Marble Falls in 2007 and 2008, according to police.
Defense attorney Eddie Shell has argued Backstrom was only trying to help the girl leave an unwholesome home environment and became a father figure to her.
Shell also told the jury the girl has made false accusations in the past of sexual abuse.
Prosecutor Cheryl Nelson has told the court Backstrom is a manipulative predator who forced himself on the girl.
The girl’s outcry came after she was in foster care.
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