Mother says man punched her in face, frightened children

A local woman claims an Austin man broke into her house last month and punched her in the face while she was sleeping.

According to the court complaint, the alleged victim said Martin Dorsett, 29, should not have access to her home, as police helped her retrieve keys from Martin several weeks ago. The victim said a threatening note written by Martin mentioned he would return to the home. The complaint says the victim was awoken by a punch in the face at 12:30 a.m. June 30. The victim raised her foot to prevent Martin from hitting her; however, Martin allegedly slammed her foot on the mattress, stomped on it and twisted it. The woman added that her 10-year-old son was in the room at the time, and her 13-year-old daughter came in during the attack. Both children yelled out the window for help, as the victim did not have a phone. The woman also later noticed her U.S. Bank card was missing along with another set of keys.

Police photographed the woman’s injuries, which included a swollen nose and bruises on the right side of her neck and jaw.

Martin was charged in Mower County Court on Monday with felony first-degree burglary, two misdemeanor domestic assault charges and is held on $75,000 bail. His next court date is Aug. 9.

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