Crime & Safety

Woman Beaten and Held Captive; Male Suspect Arrested

The information in this story comes from the ACC Police Department. An arrest doesn't mean a conviction.

Around 8pm onΒ September 6, Athens Clarke County PoliceΒ officers responded to a complaint of an injured woman who was being held captive at an East Broad Street residence.
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When officers arrived and knocked on the door, a male identified as John Howard NewtonΒ exited and closed the door behind him. He told them there was no problem.
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When officers explained when they were there, Newton knocked on the door and yelled for a woman to open the door. Once the woman let the officers inside, they saw she had been severely beaten.

The 51-year old victim said she had been held at the residence since last Friday (August 30). At one point, she tried to call 911 but Newton took her phone and broke it.
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EMS responded and transported her to Athens Regional Medical Center.
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Newton, 50, was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Stalking, False Imprisonment, Criminal Trespass/Property, and Obstructing 911 Call.


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