A former gymnastics instructor who accosted two women on the Illinois Prairie Path – including one who testified that he choked her – was sentenced to three years in prison Friday.
During a sentencing hearing in DuPage County court, Matthew Grover, 32 , formerly of Winfield, apologized to the women, as well as to a 16-year-old Wheaton high school student who testified that Grover “lunged” at her.
The victims said their brief encounters with Grover had left long-lasting effects.
One woman said she was not able to even run outdoors for months after Grover approached her from behind and grabbed her as she ran on the path in April. Ironically, she said, at the time she had recently moved to Chicago from the Wheaton area, but had returned to run on the path because she felt safe there.
Another said Grover choked her, leaving her with cuts and bruises, when he attacked her in September 2016 while she was on an early-morning run. Both women were able to escape his grasp and run away.
The high school student said that also in September 2016, Grover, wearing blue latex gloves, lunged at her, but did not make physical contact. He then followed her for several blocks before he stopped.
Grover had entered a blind plea of guilty to two counts of aggravated battery in December.
At the hearing Friday, attorney John Houlihan said Grover was at a low point at the times of the attacks and had gone off anti-depressants. Dr. John Murray, the chief forensic pathologist for the county probation department, said Grover would be a good candidate for probation, where he would receive continued treatment.
But Assistant State’s Attorney Shanti Kulkarni argued a prison sentence was necessary to protect women who use the path. The prosecutor, who asked for a five-year maximum sentence, conceded that Grover had been dealing with some difficulties in his life.
“But there are very few people who react by pouncing on strange women,” he said.
The judge said it was clear that mental health had factored into Grover’s acts, but said probation would deprecate the seriousness of his conduct.
Grover had worked as an instructor at the Bartlett Gymnastics Center, officials there confirmed following his arrest. He was fired and barred from the facility.
After Friday’s hearing, both the women said they felt three years, handed down by Judge Brian Telander, was a fair sentence. Grover has served 277 days in the county jail, which would make him eligible for parole in about nine months.
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
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