Lynn man charged with assault, held without bail

LYNN – A judge ordered a city man held without bail after a woman told police the defendant strangled her and tried to take the couple’s children, then followed her to the house and tried to take the children away again.”At this time (the defendant) attempted to take the kids from their car seat, a struggle ensued and (the defendant) attempted to strangle her by wrapping his hands around her neck,” Lynn Police Officer Richard Connick wrote in a report.Sophath Phing, 28, of 84 Grove St. #3, was arrested and charged with assault and battery; at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday. He was arraigned on the charge later that day in Lynn District Court where a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.Police found the alleged victim waiting in a locked car outside the Grove Street home when they responded to her call on Wednesday morning, according to court documents. The woman told police she and Phing were driving home when Phing punched her in the face because she refused to stop at the beach and hang out, according to the report.The alleged victim told officers she stopped the car and Phing tried to take the kids. They continued fighting but she was able to fight him off, according to police.The alleged victim told officers she returned home and then left to get them some milk when Phing met them and allegedly tried to take the children away again.Police reported arresting Phing at the home. He denied the allegations.”He stated that they began arguing because her family does not show him the level of respect that he feels he deserves but he was insistent that nothing physical happened between them and ?she has done this to him before,'” police reported.Assistant District Attorney Erin Bellavia requested Phing be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. An attorney appointed to represent Phing requested a further date to allow the public defender’s office to prepare for the hearing.Judge Ellen Flatley ordered Phing held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Sept. 25. Flatley also granted the alleged victim a restraining order against the defendant.