Man charged after alleged attack on sleeping woman

A Dorchester man with a criminal record dating back to 1998 has been charged with attacking a woman as she slept and while her two children were home, according to police.

Dale Newman, 44, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a family or household member following the alleged attack on Sunday in the woman’s West Dedham Street apartment.

Boston police officers at about 7:04 p.m. on Sunday responded to the apartment after a call for a domestic violence incident. As officers arrived, a woman told them she was leaving her apartment with her children after the altercation with Newman.

Officers saw scratches and bruising on the woman’s face, neck, chest and arms. The woman told officers that Newman had left the apartment.

But while conducting a sweep of the apartment, officers found Newman in a locked bathroom on the second floor and arrested him without incident.

The victim had been sleeping when she was awoken by Newman punching her in the face, she told officers. She said Newman threw her across the room and onto the floor, and kicked her in the stomach. The victim refused medical treatment at the scene.

Newman has a record dating back to 1998, with a history of violent offenses, violations of harassment orders and intimidation, according to the Suffolk DA’s Office.

“This is a terribly frightening situation, exacerbated by the fact that two children were present in the apartment when the attack occurred,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “We’ll offer this victim and her family as much assistance as they require as this case moves forward.”

In court on Monday, Newman was ordered held in lieu of $1,000 bail. The judge also ordered Newman to stay away from the victim. Newman is set to return to court on March 24 for a pre-trial hearing.