Peabody man charged with domestic assault

LYNN – A judge ordered a Peabody man held without bail after a woman told police the defendant held her against the house and choked her after the alleged victim’s mother told the man to leave.Leonardo Vazquez, 22, of 111 Foster St. #514, Peabody, was arrested and charged with domestic assault and battery; at 10:14 p.m. Friday. He pleaded not guilty to the charge Monday in Lynn District Court.”(A witness) said she came outside after hearing the argument and said Vazquez was ?beating the (expletive) out of her,’ referring to the alleged victim,” Lynn Police Officer Paul Scali wrote in a report.Police responded at 9:47 p.m. Friday to a Park Street address and saw a man and a woman, later identified as Vazquez and the alleged victim, arguing on the porch.Police said Vazquez was “completely uncooperative” and “very unsteady on his feet, smelled of alcohol and refused to identify himself,” according to court documents. Police said Vazquez had scratch marks on his neck but refused medical attention.The alleged victim told officers she invited Vazquez, her ex, over, but her mother came home and told Vazquez to leave.”(The alleged victim) said he then became enraged and refused to leave,” Scali reported. “She continued asking him to leave and suddenly got in her face and pushed her up against the front door of the house. He then grabbed her by the neck and tried to choke her.”Police said the witness saw the alleged fight and reported that the alleged victim was scratching and pushing Vazquez to get him off her.Police reported slight redness to the alleged victim’s neck.Essex Assistant District Attorney Erin Bellavia told the court she and the public defender’s office had agreed to continue a dangerousness hearing to a later date, and the defendant would remain held without bail until that time.