A man was sentenced yesterday morning to 22 3/4 to 45 1/2 years in prison following last month's convictions of seven armed robberies and two attempted robberies in the Centre Region.

Centre County Judge Bradley Lunsford told George Patton, 33, formerly of 147 Azalea Drive, that he considered Patton's troubled past and addiction, but also the impact the crimes had on the lives of the robbery victims, when determining his sentence.

He also warned the commonwealth and the defense that neither would receive the sentence they recommended.

"The commonwealth wants blood. Your attorney wants mercy," Lunsford said. "I think the community wants justice."

Lunsford imposed a sentence of 39 to 78 months for each of the seven robberies, to be served consecutively. He imposed a sentence of 27 to 54 months for the two attempted robberies, to be served concurrently with the rest of his sentence.

Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said that although Patton's sentence is a lengthy one, he believes Patton should have received a mandatory five-year sentence on each count of robbery because of Title 42 of Pennsylvania's Gun Law.

The law requires an additional five-year sentence if the defendant had, or seemed to have, a gun during the crime committed.

Lunsford denied the request this morning when Patton's attorney, Deborah Lux, said Centre County Assistant District Attorney Karen Kuebler neglected to properly notify her during the period between conviction and sentencing.

"We recognize the danger that he put so many people in," Madeira said. "That would be why this is the kind of sentence that sends a serious message to this defendant and others who would consider doing this."

Lux said she was pleased that the mandatory five-year sentences were not imposed but that she still thinks his sentence is too long.

"Obviously, I believe it's excessive given the circumstances," Lux said. "I understand the court's rationale to run them consecutively and the attempts concurrently."

Prosecution has 10 days to ask that the court reconsider the sentence imposed, and defense has the same amount of time to file an appeal.

"I'm convinced that this was an addiction-driven crime," Lunsford said. "I'm not disputing that, last summer, he had an addiction that spiraled out of control."

He added that it was "shocking" and "disturbing" to find in a pre-sentencing investigation that Patton's drug history began as early as when he was 3 years old, when he says his mother introduced him to marijuana.

"I am not a violent person, and I would never hurt anybody," Patton told the court. "There's more to the story than you know."

Patton mentioned a failed relationship and the death of his father and role model.

"I still want to get help," he said, adding that he feels a long sentence in prison would be a waste. "I believe I could help others."

Lunsford noted that Patton had sought help for his addictions in the past but questioned why he had not returned when he relapsed.

"I think you wanted help, but for some reason you abandoned your efforts -- the same way you abandoned your sister the night you were arrested," Lunsford said.

His sister, Caroll Patton, is awaiting trial on charges of robbery and criminal conspiracy. According to court documents, she drove her brother to the locations of each robbery and attempted robbery that he ultimately was convicted of.