ST. GEORGE, Maine — A 39-year-old St. George man recently released from jail for assault has been ordered held without bail after police said he attacked the same woman again.
Joel Swain made his initial appearance Wednesday in Knox County Unified Court on charges of domestic violence assault and obstructing the report of a crime. Swain has been held at the Knox County Jail since his arrest Monday.
Swain was sentenced to jail on Oct. 16 after pleading guilty to offenses that included domestic violence assault against the same woman the month before. Assistant District Attorney Christopher Fernald said Swain was recently released from jail.
An affidavit filed in court by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in the most recent case states that Swain and the woman had an argument and she ordered him to leave a local residence. Shortly afterward outside, Swain grabbed her by the throat and choked her until a neighbor came over to stop the assault, according to the affidavit. The obstruction charge was the result of Swain allegedly grabbing the woman’s phone and throwing it.
Swain has a criminal record dating back to the 1990s, Fernald said.
Judge Susan Sparaco agreed with the prosecution’s request to have Swain held without bail until a probation revocation hearing is held.