A Bristol Borough man was arrested and jailed earlier this month following two assaults of his “girlfriend” police say.
Thomas Burns, 32 of Bensalem was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Michael W. Gallagher on two separate cases January 13 and sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of 10 percent of $30,000 bail.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim showed up at Police Headquarters just before midnight on Monday December 19, telling police she had been pummeled by Burns as he allegedly jumped on her, choked her and covered her mouth.
The victim told police Burns held her captive in her residence for three hours, threw her on a bed several times when she attempted to escape his assault. Finally she was able to leave the residence, with Burns following close by. As the victim approached Police Headquarters Burns quickly left the area, according to court records.
Police filed an arrest warrant with the court shortly thereafter on charges of felony strangulation, false imprisonment, simple assault and related offenses.
The second attack, according to police, took place on January 4 just after 1 pm.
An officer on regular patrol was parked in a lot on Dorrance and Canal Streets. The officer heard screaming and shouting coming from the area of 400 block of Washington St.
The officer wrote in court papers he could hear someone say ‘get her out of here.’ As the officer drove closer to investigate where the yelling and shouting was coming he saw a group of people coming down the back steps of an apartment on the 400 Washington St block. The responding officer saw Burns coming down the steps from the apartment also recognizing him from a prior encounter. The officer began pursuing him down the driveway towards Washington St.
Burns allegedly grabbed the victim, wrapped himself around her throwing her on the ground and started to pummel her as the victim lay on the ground trying to ward of the assault.
Police followed Burns up a narrow driveway demanding the suspect to stop but he ignored the commands of police entered his apartment and locked the door.
Days later Police also discovered an active arrest warrant from Domestic Relations Court for “neglect of support” which alleges he owes over $15,000 in support payments.
Police filed an arrest warrant charging Burns with simple assault, and two counts of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Burns is currently in jail and is awaiting a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for March 1 in Bristol Borough District Court.