Man Faces Domestic Assault Charges

Newport police responded t an address on Mineral Street Sunday morning after citizens had called in a report of a woman hiding in the bushes outside a home. When an officer arrived, he did not spot the woman reportedly in the bushes, but did notice the basement door to the home was standing open. A check on the residence showed it to be in disarray and damaged, especially in the bathroom. After a short investigation, the residents of that home were located at a home on Fork Lane. Cassie Smith matched the description of the woman spotted in the bushes. Smith stated that she and Brandon Taylor had been drinking at a party Saturday night and she was trying to go to bed, Taylor became aggressive towards her. She stated she tried to lock herself in the bathroom, but Taylor made entry and knocked her head into the bathtub. Officers observed visible bruising marks on Smith’s neck and she complained of head pain. Taylor was arrested and charged with domestic assault.