Mugshot of Valence George. Photo: VIPD

According to court documents, police were called to an apartment complex in Christiansted on Sunday evening after receiving a report of an assault. When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who said her relationship with Valence George had ended earlier that day when he sent her a text message saying he was packing his things and moving out.

The woman told police she returned home after receiving the message and asked for her house key, which George had left on the kitchen counter. An argument followed, and she said she left the apartment again to avoid a confrontation. She then decided to go to a popular restaurant and bar in Kingshill.

According to the woman, when she arrived there she saw George sitting in his vehicle near the entrance of the establishment. She said she immediately left the area, but soon realized that George was following her. The woman told police she decided to return to the bar so there would be witnesses if anything happened to her.

George followed his ex

Police said George followed his ex-girlfriend back to the bar and blocked her vehicle with his. The woman told officers she got out of her vehicle, picked up a pipe from the ground, and held it at the ready. George reportedly scoffed at her defensive posture and approached anyway, declaring that she was not going to hit him.

A physical confrontation then broke out, and the woman told police that during the struggle she dropped the pipe and George grabbed her by the neck, squeezing and cutting off her air supply.

She said she was lifted into the air and had to claw at her assailant’s face and hands to get him to release his grip. The woman told police she felt like she would have lost consciousness if men under a nearby tree had not intervened.

By the time she returned home, the woman said George was inside her bedroom with the door locked. She ordered him to leave and called 911 for assistance.

Officers documented injuries that included scratches, welts and bruises to the woman’s nose, neck, arms, hands, knuckles and knees.

George was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and simple assault and battery, both as crimes of domestic violence. He was also charged with disturbance of the peace. He was remanded into custody pending his Advice of Rights hearing.

In court on Monday, Magistrate Christopher Timmons found probable cause to uphold both charges against George and set bail at $50,000, with $1,000 payable in cash and the remainder signed as an unsecured bond.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 15.