A Rockville man and former Columbia-area climbing instructor accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student was sentenced to four years in prison Friday in Howard County Circuit Court.

Michael J. Lyons, 31, of the 1000 block of Brice Road, pleaded guilty Nov. 30 to one count of sexual abuse of a minor. Circuit Court Judge Louis Becker III sentenced Lyons to serve four years of a total 15-year sentence Friday, less than the 8-year sentence proposed by Howard County Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Oldham.

“The judge had a difficult time,” said state’s attorney spokesman T. Wayne Kirwan after the sentencing, explaining that the victim’s mother and friends and family members of Lyons read victim impact statements at the hearing. “As always, we respect the judge’s opinion.”

Howard County Assistant Public Defender Mary Pizzo, who represented Lyons, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

Lyons was ordered to register as a sex offender as part of the sentence.

jarias@gazette.net