A Leesburg man was arrested Thursday for battering a gal pal last month when she confronted him about allegedly spending a tax refund on narcotics.
On Feb. 18, officers with the Leesburg Police Department responded to an undisclosed Lake County residence regarding a disturbance, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County.
The female victim stated that on Feb. 16, she was in an argument with 29-year-old Patrick Murphy, whom she had known for about six months, over the misuse of the tax refund which he allegedly used to purchase illegal narcotics. She stated the argument resulted in her being battered. The victim was thrown to the bed, striking her shoulder on the bed frame in the process. Murphy then struck her several times in the shoulder area.
Officers reported that she displayed a small circular bruise on her right shoulder. They were able to observe and record injuries consistent with her statements, including an elongated circular bruise and reddening on her shoulder area, the affidavit said.
Although Murphy was not present at the time of the officers’ initial report, he was later arrested by LPD on Thursday afternoon. He was charged with simple battery (domestic) and turned over to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to be transported to Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $1,000 bond.