PROVIDENCE — The man who assaulted Christopher P. Morra, chairman of the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen, last year as he was leaving his East Providence business received a seven-year sentence Monday, one of which will be served in jail.

Superior Court Judge William Carnes said the attack wasn’t “a normal assault” and therefore, Donald D. Bennett, who pleaded no contest last month, deserved time in the Adult Correctional Institutions, in Cranston.

“This was a planned endeavor,” Carnes said.

Bennett, 39, of North Providence, and at least one other person, who is still being sought, planned the February 2008 attack and then “stalked” and “staked out” Morra’s business — National Security & Fire Alarm Systems, on Newport Avenue — before jumping him, the judge said. Carnes said going through with the attack and then fleeing the scene, which led to a high speed chase into Massachusetts and an accident, also factored into his decision.

“These circumstances are a bit frightening,” the judge said. “… I think the public rightly expects a punishment.”

Yet Carnes said the 20 letters of support from Bennett’s friends, family and business associates also carried weight and he was “confident” Bennett, a former honor roll student, has a “great deal of character” and will be able to rehabilitate himself.

“I am not only remorseful, but I am also ashamed,” Bennett said.

His lawyer, Robert Mann, suggested Bennett not receive any prison time and rather supervised probation and community service. He also suggested Bennett pay Morra a reasonable amount of restitution, which the judge agreed was appropriate. In addition, Mann said Bennett was a “good and decent man” who made a “terrible mistake.”

Morra called Bennett and his unknown accomplice, “thugs” and asked Carnes to give Bennett the maxim penalty discussed during a plea agreement last month –– seven years with two to serve. Assistant Attorney General Matthew S. Dawson also said Bennett “delivered that beating like he was delivering a pizza.”

“It’s chilling,” said Dawson, who also said Bennett “should have known better,” given his upbringing and background.

While recalling the “brutal attack,” Morra said Bennett and another hit him in the face and head repeatedly with blackjacks and at one point, Morra said, he “truly believed” they were going kill him. He said Bennett hasn’t identified the other man and told the police “it is not over yet.”

Bennett faced the judge the entire time Morra spoke.

“I am in constant worry that I will be attacked again and that my family is at risk,” Morra said. “… I ask you to give him the maximum sentence to send the message to others that brutal acts upon a public official will not be tolerated.”

apina@projo.com