Woman says she was beaten, burned

A woman says she was held prisoner in her own home by her ex-boyfriend who allegedly beat her with a ruler and burned her with cigarettes.

The defendant, Billy Clarence Martin, 50, is charged with false imprisonment and domestic assault for allegedly injuring his ex-girlfriend, Lydia Roberts, during an invasion of her home.

According to the victim’s version of events, Martin would not let her leave her home, holding her against her will there for two hours, and telling her he would kill her if she left him. Roberts said Martin was carrying a box cutter with which he threatened her as he physically stopped her from making her way out the door for help.

Specifically, Roberts claims Martin pushed her to the floor, injuring her tailbone, plus he grabbed her arms, leaving bruises which were later photographed by officers. She also said he hit her on her legs with a ruler and burned her with his cigarette. All of the alleged incidents happened while the couple was under a mutual restraining order, directing them to stay away from each other.

After the original incident, Roberts said Martin came back to the home and stole a key to her door, along with a cellphone. However, as in the case of the original assault, there were no witnesses to the theft from her home.

Lawmen were unable to collar Martin following the initial report of the incident. He was later taken into custody at another residence where officers reported finding him hiding in a closet.

It was during his arrest officers reported finding evidence which supported Roberts’ version of events, finding him in possession of the key and cellphone taken from the Roberts residence along with a box cutter.