NORWICH – A man will spend weekends in jail after pleading guilty to a hate crime in Chenango County Court, on Friday.

Jacob Fowlston, 33, was originally arrested and charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime, a class E felony; and a second count of misdemeanor, third-degree assault, as a non-hate crime; and fourth-degree criminal mischief, after an attack on Norwich resident on Fair Street in Norwich, who is an African-American.

The Chenango County District Attorney's Office said, Fowlston attacked the victim on December 24 of last year, while yelling racial slurs and repeatedly striking him in the head which resulted in a concussion and bruising.

With the victim sitting behind prosecution, Fowlston pleaded guilty to third-degree assault as a hate crime in a plea agreement. Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. sentenced Fowlston to a split sentence of four months of weekends in jail, and five years of probation. Fowlston will also pay restitution in the amount of $1850.00.