An Ironton man will spend 15 years in prison for stabbing his live-in girlfriend multiple times.

Calvin Carter, 53, of 729 Ninth St., pleaded guilty to felonious assault and attempted aggravated murder Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Carter stabbed the woman during a domestic dispute at an Ironton apartment building in February.

Carter was indicted on two counts of felonious assault and one count of attempted aggravated murder. One count of felonious assault and the attempted murder charge were merged because they stemmed from the man’s one attack on the woman.

The other count of felonious assault came from the man’s attack on the woman’s minor child during the February incident, Lawrence County Assistant Prosecutor Brigham Anderson said.

At the state’s recommendation, Judge Charles Cooper sentenced Carter to 10 years for attempted aggravated murder and five years for felonious assault. Cooper ordered that the two sentences be served consecutively for a total of 15 years in prison.

Carter’s defense attorney, Warren Morford said the man has mental health issues including anger management problems. In Carter’s own words, he “snapped,” Morford said.

Carter apologized for his actions.

“I’d like to apologize to my family and to the court and to (the victim) if she was here,” he said.