LAPLACE — A local man was sentenced to nearly a decade in jail at hard labor following the attempted carjacking and beating of an 83-year-old woman in broad daylight, authorities said.

District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut said David Sheppard, 23, of Reserve recently avoided trial, agreeing to plead guilty to attempted car jacking and cruelty to the infirmed.

Judge J. Sterling Snowdy accepted the plea and sentenced Sheppard to eight years in prison at hard labor with the Department of Corrections.

“This is a crime of violence, so any credit he would get would be very limited,” Dinvaut said. “(The victim) did suffer some facial contusions and bleeding as a result of fending off Sheppard. Two good Samaritans were extremely brave assisting her in fighting off the defendant. They cooperated throughout the case. They also cooperated with police in pointing out Sheppard so the Sheriff’s Office could make an arrest.”

Police said the attack took place at approximately 11:30 a.m. May 16 in a doctor’s office parking lot on Cannes Drive in LaPlace.

The victim was entering her car when Sheppard attempted to enter the vehicle from the passenger side door, which was locked.

According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheppard ran to the driver’s side door, forced it open and demanded the victim exit.

“When the victim refused to get out of the car, he began punching her in the face,” a Sheriff’s Office release said. “As a witness came to the victim’s aid, (the assailant) fled the scene. Another witness stopped a deputy working nearby traffic enforcement to report the attack.”

Sheppard was taken into custody shortly after on Madewood Drive.

Emergency medical services tended to the victim before bringing her to a local hospital for treatment of a fractured cheekbone and other injuries. She was released shortly thereafter.

“The officers arrived quickly on the scene, and Sheppard was apprehended within feet of the crime scene,” Dinvaut said. “We truly appreciate that kind of assistance from the public. We couldn’t do our jobs without them. Without their help, this plea could not have taken place.”