The man convicted in connection with the hit-and-run that killed UK freshman Connie Blount last spring received a sentence of five years Friday.

Fayette Circuit Judge James Ishmael sentenced Shannon Houser, 37, to five years on charges of tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of the accident.

In February, a jury found Houser guilty on the two charges and unanimously recommended he serve six years. Houser was found not guilty of a possession of marijuana charge.

Jack Blount, Connie’s father, was in the courtroom during sentencing. He said while he was glad Houser received the maximum possible sentence the judge could impose, the sentence was low.

“The judge got it, the jury got it — they gave him the maximum sentence,” Blount said. “We were just sad they couldn’t give him longer.”

Over the weekend, Blount went to Findlay, Ohio, to visit Sam and Luke, Connie’s two horses. The horses are doing well, he said.

Sam, who Connie bought as a colt, is competing in a dressage competition in April.