A Virginia Tech student was able to avoid a felony conviction but was sentenced to spend a year in jail for his role in the beating of another student in March.

Warren Joseph McCabe, 25, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., was charged with malicious wounding, a felony, after a 20-year-old man was found lying in the roadway of Ingles Court with severe facial injuries the night of March 17.

Friends of the victim, who was not named, took him to Montgomery Regional Hospital, Blacksburg police have said. He was then transferred to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment because of the severity of his injuries.

McCabe entered into a plea agreement at a hearing Friday afternoon in Montgomery County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assault and battery, a misdemeanor.

He was sentenced to 12 months in jail and ordered to pay a total of $4,775 in restitution, including $1,991 to the victim for medical bills and lost tuition. The victim had to withdraw from two classes at Virginia Tech after he was injured.

McCabe also was ordered not to have any contact with the man.

Another hearing was set for November 2011 for a review of the case.

-- Shawna Morrison