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NILES — A Niles man who got into a fight with his girlfriend in the Niles Wal-Mart parking lot was sentenced to probation and tether.

Richard Shults IV, 21, of Niles, pleaded guilty to attempted assault by strangulation and was sentenced to one year probation, credit for two days served, 60 days tether and $658 in fines and cost.

The incident occurred Oct. 3 in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Niles Township.

Defense attorney Kevin Mackin said Shults was exceptionally sorry for his actions and had lost his cool in the middle of an argument. “It was an extreme lapse in judgment,” he said. Shults for his part apologized for his actions.

Judge Smith did not give Shults a Holmes Youthful Training Act probation which would keep the conviction off his record if he’s successful on probation, but noted that Shults can petition to get it off his record in the future.