Altha man jailed on assault charges

An Altha man was taken into custody in the early morning hours Friday following an altercation with his girlfriend.Randy Dale Kent, 35, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, domestic battery and criminal mischief.According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Cpl. Eddie Dalton and Dep. John Scheetz responded to a home on North Main Street in Altha just after 1 a.m. Witnesses reported Kent had locked himself in a bedroom and told them he had a gun. When he refused to come to the door, his girlfriend got him to pick up the cell phone. It was learned he did not have a firearm, but allegedly struck his girlfriend with a belt during an argument that evening, then pulled a knife. She was found to have a knot on her head and mark on her back. The woman’s uncle was in the home at the time and Kent said the uncle “jumped on him” and his knee was injured during the fight. The girlfriend said Kent slipped on water and fell.An ambulance was called and Kent was placed under arrest. He then reportedly kicked the glass on the passenger door in the patrol car, shattering it, and began kicking the cage during transport to the Calhoun County Jail