A grand jury has indicted a Round Pound man on 11 charges, including a count of domestic violence reckless conduct, alleging he ran down his girlfriend with an ATV.
Paul Hart, 25, also faces a felony charge of aggravated assault (Class B), four misdemeanor (Class D) charges of criminal trespass, domestic violence assault and terrorizing and five charges of misdemeanor violation of condition of release (Class E).
A statement by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Dennison outlines the events leading to Hart’s arrest, incorporating interviews with the girlfriend and a witness.
A summary of the statement follows:
On Aug. 9 of this year, Hart and his girlfriend were staying in a tent at a Bremen house. Hart’s girlfriend left the property “to take a walk” and Hart ran her down with the ATV, knocking her into a ditch.
The girlfriend returned to the tent, only to have Hart follow her and repeatedly kick her in the leg while “swearing and yelling at her.”
Late the following night, Hart became jealous after entering the house to find his girlfriend dancing with the homeowner. The girlfriend attempted to escape through a bathroom window, but Hart allegedly pushed her into the shower, where she hit her head, choked her and threatened her.
The girlfriend contacted police shortly thereafter. Dennison photographed bruises on her arms and legs corresponding to her account of the abuse.
Hart, at the time of the incidents, was on bail for a previous domestic assault against the same woman.
The criminal trespass charge alleges that Hart, “knowing he was not licensed or privileged to do so, did enter a dwelling place of” a Bristol woman Aug. 13.
Hart has been at Two Bridges Regional Jail since Aug. 13. His bail is set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 real estate.
Hart’s arraignment is set for Thurs., Dec. 1 at 8:30 a.m. His defense attorney, William Avantaggio, did not return a message left Nov. 23.
