EDGARD — A judge sentenced a St. John the Baptist Parish man to life in prison without the possibility of parole following his conviction late last year for attacking and strangling his ex-girlfriend to the point of unconsciousness.

Judge Sterling Snowdy handed down the sentence Henri Lyles of LaPlace to imprisonment for the remainder of his life without probation, parole or suspension of sentence for aggravated battery.

The penalty last week was part of a habitual offender sentence sought by District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut’s office after a six-person St. John Parish jury convicted Lyles in November following a two-day trial.

Authorities said Lyles, 42, attacked a former girlfriend in her home with a thirteen-inch knife Feb. 1, 2015. The victim suffered cuts to her fingers defending herself against the knife, requiring medical attention.

During the attack, according to authorities, Lyles strangled the victim to the point she briefly lost consciousness and lost control of her body. The victim’s two children were present in the house during the attack.

St. John Sheriff’s Office deputies apprehended Lyles shortly after the attack.

“The St. John Parish District Attorney’s office will prosecute to the fullest extent provided under the law violent criminals and individuals who demonstrate little or no regard for human life,” a release from the D.A.’s office said. “As such, District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut charged Lyles as a habitual offender because of his prior criminal history.”

Lyles previously pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine in Jefferson Parish and manslaughter in Orleans Parish in separate cases, dating back to 1991, the D.A.’s office said.