WORCESTER— a man was sentenced to 28 years behind bars after a harrowing tale of kidnapping and attempted murder shocked the community. Joshua Hubert, 43, received his sentence on October 17, following a horrific crime that unfolded in 2017, when he allegedly abducted, strangled, and tossed a 7-year-old girl off a bridge.

Reports indicate that Hubert was handed two consecutive sentences of 14 to 15 years for attempted murder and an additional four to five years for strangulation, to run concurrently. He will also face four years of probation after his prison term for kidnapping. This chilling case was brought to a head following Hubert's conviction for attempted murder, strangulation, and kidnapping last month, even as he was acquitted of two charges of child rape.

The horrifying events transpired on August 27, 2017, just one day after Hubert had mingled with the girl’s family at a cookout. Authorities allege he kidnapped her, strangled her, and then hurled her into the waters over Lake Quinsigamond. In a miraculous turn of events, the now 15-year-old victim swam approximately 100 yards to safety after playing dead, seeking refuge at a nearby home.

The trial itself, which began eight years after the abduction, was marred by multiple delays since 2020. Worcester Police Department Chief Paul Saucier expressed hope that the lengthy process would bring closure to the courageous young survivor and her family, describing the case as “horrific.”

Adding to the unsettling narrative is Hubert’s background; he had a history of working closely with law enforcement. Hubert previously held various positions within police departments and even attended the Boylston Police Academy, but left law enforcement after struggling to secure a position. After his rejection from multiple departments, he shifted to a career in information technology.

As Hubert begins his lengthy prison sentence, questions linger about the system that allowed a man with such a disturbing past to remain a free man for so long. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of a case that will not soon be forgotten.