A Hamilton man who raped a 21-year-old developmentally disabled woman will spend the next 10 years behind bars.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge Craig Hedric sentenced Michael Butcher, 53, Wednesday morning after the man plead guilty to one count of rape in August. A second rape charge was merged as part of the plea deal. The sentencing range after the plea was three to 11 years. He was originally facing a 20-year prison term.

Butcher made a brief apology to the victim — who was represented by her father in court — and his attorney asked Hedric to consider the fact he accepted responsibility by pleading guilty. The judge said that what Butcher did was “horrible” and the guilty plea was just about his only redeeming quality.

“You did enter a plea and that allowed this young lady to go through this case without having to testify,” Hedric said. “That’s probably the biggest saving grace that you’ve got going for you on this side of the ledger.”

The victim’s father told Hedric his daughter is in counseling and has dropped 40 pounds during the ordeal. He also reminded the judge that Butcher didn’t turn himself in willingly. Butcher allegedly fled to Tennessee before he was arrested.

After the hearing the father confirmed — as was discussed briefly in court — that Butcher also infected his daughter with a non-life-threatening sexually transmitted disease. He said his daughter will be pleased with the outcome of case.

“I look at this child, who is just a child, and she’s going to be happy that he at least got 10 years,” he said. “But I don’t think he can be rehabilitated. I just don’t think people like this ever get well.”

Butcher’s attorney, Scott Kruger, said his client wanted to do the right thing.

“He took responsibility for his actions,” he said. “He didn’t want her to go to trial, to go through the pain and the turmoil of having to experience this live and in front of a group of strangers.”

Hedric classified Butcher as a Tier III sex offender, which means he will have to report his whereabouts to the sheriff every 90 days for the rest of his life, once he leaves prison.