BEDFORD — A Bedford man was taken into custody early Saturday, June 27th, after a physical dispute at a residence on Western Avenue led to charges of domestic battery.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Sgt. Trevor Shelhart of the Bedford Police Department, he responded to a dispatch to the 2700 block of Western Avenue at approximately 12:04 a.m. regarding a physical domestic disturbance.
Upon arriving at the scene, Sgt. Shelhart and Officer Haluda found the involved parties already separated. Sgt. Shelhart interviewed the female victim in the driveway behind the residence.
In a voluntary statement, she explained that she had visited the home to bring snacks to her son. While inside, an argument broke out between her and Philip Roy Newton, 57, which quickly escalated. The victim noted that Newton became further enraged when he attempted to leave the residence but discovered that the woman’s vehicle was blocking his car in the driveway.
The female victim stated that once they were back inside the house, Newton shoved her with both hands and placed both of his hands on her neck, pushing her backward. The force of the push caused her to fall into a small table and then into a wall, resulting in pain in her shoulders and neck. The woman mentioned to officers that she had pre-existing injuries to those areas and did not believe Newton intentionally targeted them to cause harm. However, she indicated her desire to pursue criminal charges, signing both a battery affidavit and a medical release form.
Inside the residence, Officer Haluda interviewed Newton regarding the altercation. Newton corroborated that the argument began after the woman arrived to drop off items for their son. Newton claimed he asked the woman to leave the home multiple times, and when she refused, he tried to leave himself but found his vehicle blocked in the driveway.
Newton admitted to officers that he returned inside and attempted to physically remove the woman from the home. According to the affidavit, Newton acknowledged pushing the woman with both hands while she braced herself against a door frame, and further admitted that he then pushed her by the neck.
The officers also spoke with the couple’s son, who was sitting at the kitchen table during the incident. While his view was partially blocked, he confirmed witnessing his father place at least one hand on his mother’s neck and push her back.
Following the interviews, Newton was placed under arrest and transported to the Lawrence County Jail by Officer Haluda. He faces charges of domestic battery.
Additionally, Newton requested that a trespass warning be issued against the woman for the Western Avenue property. Sgt. Shelhart completed a trespass notification form, which the woman signed and acknowledged before leaving the property with her son.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
