A man out of Pike County spent Christmas behind bars following an argument on Christmas Eve that turned into an alleged assault.

 

A trooper with the Kentucky State Police responded to a 911 hangup call at a home on South Levisa Fork Road, in Mouthcard. Upon his arrival, he discovered a woman with a cut thumb and gash on her head.

 

A witness informed the trooper that 26-year-old Austin Phillips had previously been arguing with the woman. He is said to have then allegedly cut the woman’s thumb, punched her in the head, and then finally grabbed an axe handle from the garage before striking her in the head with it.

 

As the trooper made an attempt to ID Phillips, he is said to have ran out of the home. Phillips was arrested when another trooper arrived at the scene.

 

He was charged with felony assault, fleeing police, resisting arrest, public intoxication, as well as having outstanding warrants for wanton endangerment.

 

He is currently being held in the Pike County Detention Center.