VALPARAISO | Former Hebron Town Council President and former Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Michael Haughee turned himself in at the county jail Monday morning to begin serving a one-year term for sexually assaulting a woman who uses a wheelchair.

Haughee had hoped to avoid going to jail until his appeal has been decided.

Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper agreed Thursday to consider his request to delay the sentence, but had not issued a decision by the 10 a.m. Monday deadline he was to turn himself in at the jail.

Harper later denied the delay. She wrote that bond was released in the case and said Haughee did not request an appeal bond.

A jury found Haughee guilty in January on felony counts of sexual battery and criminal confinement and a misdemeanor count of interference with the reporting of a crime. A disabled Hebron woman said Haughee showed up at her apartment Feb. 18, 2006, and forced a kiss on her, began groping her chest and prevented her from using her telephone to call for help.

Harper sentenced Haughee to one year in jail, which can be completed in half that time with good behavior. Upon his release, he is to spend a year on formal probation, register for 10 years as a sex offender and undergo HIV testing, sex offender treatment and a mental health evaluation.

The 56-year-old also is prohibited from having any further contact with the victim.