A Hoschton man pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in Hall County Superior Court to seven charges of cruelty to children in the first degree.

The charges against Shannon Pavey stemmed from incidents in which he discharged a stun gun multiple times on his then-11-year-old son’s legs, held his son and then-8-year-old daughter by the ankles over the railing of a second-floor balcony, held his daughter over a loaded washing machine and placed his son in a choke hold, covering the boy’s mouth and nose with his hand. Pavey was arrested last December.

Pavey was sentenced to seven years’ probation and three years of house arrest. He also agreed to waive his parental rights and pay restitution for the children’s counseling.

Pavey’s ex-wife, Heather Foster, tearfully read a statement in court detailing her experience with Pavey. She recalled a night in July 2005 when she said Pavey held her at gunpoint. She explained to the court that her children are currently being treated for psychological effects of the abuse.

Foster said Pavey’s decision to waive his parental rights was a gift to his children and she hopes he sees his sentence as a gift as well.

District Attorney Lee Darragh said “the negotiated sentence imposed by (Chief Superior Court) Judge (Andrew) Fuller was perfectly appropriate,” given the evidence in the case and the significant conditions imposed by the agreement, including the termination of parental rights and the fact the children were spared having to testify.