69-year-old man convicted of severely beating girlfriend in Elgin

A 69-year-old man was convicted Tuesday of severely beating his girlfriend in their northwest suburban Elgin apartment.

James E. Bell, of the 400 block of South Belmont Street, was convicted of felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor domestic battery, according to a statement from the Kane County state’s attorney’s office.

In June 2012, he and his girlfriend began arguing in their apartment, the state’s attorney’s office said.

He followed her into the bathroom and pushed her into the tub, the statement said. When they were back in the living room, he grabbed her upper body, threw her into the couch and threatened to kill her.

When she tried to escape the apartment, he grabbed her by the hair and threw her into the kitchen, causing her to hit the dishwasher before falling to the floor, the state’s attorney’s office said. She suffered three pelvic fractures.

She then called a friend who called police, the state’s attorney said.

Bell is due in court for sentencing April 15, when he will face six to 30 years in prison, the state’s attorney’s office said.