Sutton man charged with assault

PALMER -- A Sutton man was arrested New Year's Day after allegedly throwing a wooden dinner tray that hit his girlfriend in the head, and kicking her in the head after she fell to the floor.

Jule R. Westcott was lodged at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on no-bail status after the 7:30 p.m. disturbance at the couple's house at Mile 69 Glenn Hwy. The girlfriend's account of the attack was verified by Westcott's brother, who was present at the time, Alaska State Troopers said.

Westcott, 46, was charged with two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault.

The crime is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and maximum fine of $10,000.

Trooper Mike Ingram said the incident began when Westcott grabbed the woman's hair and tossed her to the kitchen floor. She tried to get up while deflecting Westcott's punches with her forearms and covering her head, Ingram said.

Westcott threw a metal chair at his girlfriend before throwing the dinner tray at her, charging documents said. She eventually escaped from the house, along with her two children and Westcott's brother, according to charging documents.

Ingram interviewed Westcott later the same evening and said Westcott insisted the woman had attacked him. He also denied throwing a chair or tray at her, Ingram said.

When the trooper told Westcott that his brother confirmed the woman's story, Westcott admitted that he had done those things, Ingram said.

Westcott's blood-alcohol content was .09 when measured at 10:20 p.m., according to charging documents.