WAILUKU - A 28-year-old man was sentenced to five years' probation on Friday for trying to strangle his live-in girlfriend during an argument at a Lahaina home in February.

Second Circuit Judge Richard Bissen also ordered Roland G. Castillo Jr. to serve 97 days in jail, which he has already completed.

Deputy Prosecutor Mark Simonds asked for five years' probation and one year in jail, because of the severity of the incident and said that Castillo that took out his rage on his children.

"This was as bad as a felony abuse as one sees," Simonds said.

Castillo got angry after arguing with his girlfriend and threw his 4-month-old son face down on the bed, then picked up his 1-year-old daughter and threw her across the hall, Simonds said, later noting to Bissen that Castillo was not charged in those incidents because the children were not hurt.

He said Castillo then went outside and got into a vehicle and tried to leave when his girlfriend jumped on the vehicle to stop him, Simonds said.

He then went to another vehicle to try to leave when she again jumped on the vehicle.

Castillo then got out of the vehicle and rushed at her, threw her in a planter and choked her until she was unable to breathe, Simonds said.

The girlfriend suffered abrasions and scratches, Simonds said.

But Deputy Public Defender Jim Rouse said Castillo has been sick for a week and his girlfriend was angry because he was not taking care of the children.

She then took money out of the children's coin jar to buy cigarettes and she refused to give cigarettes to Castillo, Rouse said.

Rouse said Castillo told him that he put his son on the bed and tripped over his daughter who was standing nearby during the incident.

But Rouse said Castillo pleaded to the charge and accepts his punishment.

He said now that Child Protective Services is involved, Castillo has stepped up to improve his life.

"It's a sad day; it's a sad case," Rouse said.

Castillo apologized in court and said he has become better physically and wiser mentally since he has spent time incarcerated.

He asked that if he needs to spend more time in jail, that it be on weekends so he can work and attend classes.

"It's all about my kids," he said.

Castillo's girlfriend also said that he has changed since he has been in jail and that his thinking and outlook on life is better.

Castillo pleaded no contest to felony abuse of a family or household member for the incident on Feb. 19.