A man from Scappoose was sentenced to prison on Tuesday for breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home and hitting her with a hammer, authorities said.
According to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old Steven Michael Hir was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of first-, second-, and fourth-degree assault, burglary, unlawful use of a weapon, strangling, menacing, stalking, and harassment.
Hir and the 48-year-old victim met on a dating app and dated irregularly before splitting up, according to authorities.
The case dates back to February 16, when Hir showed up unannounced to the victim’s apartment in Wilsonville. He strangled and punched her during a disagreement, inflicting a concussion, according to officials. She underwent medical care the next day and reported the assault to police officers.
Later, on Feb. 28, Hir broke into the victim’s apartment through the backdoor, took a hammer from her toolbox, and struck her about 30 times in the face, head, and body, causing “devastating injuries,” according to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office. The victim spent one week in the hospital as a result of the injuries.
“It’s truly a miracle she is alive today,” said Deputy District Attorney Rachel Erickson, who prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Aisha Amiri.
Evidence brought to trial included “an extensive number of texts and emails” sent from Hir threatening the victim.
The District Attorney’s Office stated that Hir dismissed his three court-appointed attorneys and represented himself during his trial, preferring to stay in his jail uniform despite the availability of civilian clothing.
According to authorities, Hir was previously convicted of domestic violence offenses in Clark County, Washington, in 2021, involving arson, cyberstalking, and exposing intimate photographs of another person.
