Staff Writer

An Old Orchard Beach man facing domestic violence charges in Biddeford was indicted on similar charges by a Cumberland County grand jury last week.

Dennis Fairweather, 26, was indicted on two counts of domestic violence assault and single counts of assault, aggravated criminal trespass, possession of cocaine and violating conditions of release.

Fairweather was charged in what court records and Scarborough Police reports describe as a home invasion when he allegedly confined a former girlfriend at her Hanson Road for almost 36 hours before she escaped around 5 a.m. on May 31.

While the grand jury convened, records in Biddeford show Fairweather’s July 6 trial in District Court was postponed until Nov. 3. He is charged with misdemeanor domestic assault, assault and violating conditions of release charges and pleaded not guilty in February.

The charges stem from a confrontation last October. Biddeford police allege Fairweather punched and kicked another former girlfriend when she tried to return some of his belongings.

Court records in Biddeford show Fairweather’s bail in that case was revoked last month. He remained in York County Jail in Alfred this week, jail officials said.

During the incident in Scarborough over Memorial Day weekend, Fairweather allegedly broke into his victim’s home and prevented her from going to work and accused her of stealing from him and having affairs with other men.

Statements made to police say Fairweather threatened to kill his victim and left and returned several times over the course of the weekend. The victim told police Fairweather sometimes snorted cocaine and broke window screens to get back into the house after she locked the doors.

At around 5 a.m. on May 31, the victim told police she woke up to see Fairweather standing over her. He began choking her, but stopped when he thought he heard a noise in the basement. She said that allowed her to get away.

Police statements indicate the victim was headed to Scarborough Police headquarters when she flagged down officers at the Maine Bank and Trust branch on Route 1 near Scarborough Marsh.

According to court records, officers found Fairweather’s car outside the victim’s home with the engine running and arrested him as he came out the front door. He allegedly told officers there was another person in the house, but police discovered the home was unoccupied.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219