NEWPORT — A judge ordered a 51-year-old Newport man held without bail after he pleaded not guilty to felony charges of sexual assault and domestic violence stemming from incidents in Newport Center.
Michael Hager faces the charges following a December 17 domestic disturbance where he allegedly forced his way into a residence and assaulted a woman while her young children were present, according to Vermont State Police.
State Police Trooper Anthony Rice responded to the incident around 7:17 a.m. When contacted by police, the victim reported that Hager had been shouting at her children as she prepared them for the day. After initially leaving when asked, Hager allegedly returned and forced his way back into the residence.
According to the police affidavit, the woman reported that Hager pushed her with his body while her children clutched her legs. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation after she slapped him in self-defense, resulting in Hager allegedly striking her face.
The victim later came to the State Police barracks in Derby, where she reported two previous incidents of sexual assault that allegedly occurred months earlier. Hager denied the allegations in a subsequent police interview, claiming any relations were consensual and disputing the assault account.
