Paynesville Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Girlfriend With Knife

ST. CLOUD -- A Paynesville man has pleaded guilty to felony second degree assault with a dangerous weapon after a domestic assault last March.

According to the criminal complaint, 40-year-old Raymond Hanson kicked-in a locked bedroom door and assaulted his girlfriend at their Paynesville Township home.

Records show Hanson choked the woman, punched and stomped her in the face and neck, stabbed her in the back with a knife and tried to pour alcohol and prescription drugs down her throat.

Authorities say the woman tried to defend herself with a pocket knife during the assault and was ultimately able to call 9-1-1. Hanson then left the scene on foot.

Deputies arrived to find the woman with significant injuries to her face, including a broken nose and black eyes. She also had broken ribs, boot marks on her neck and chest area and bleeding from her head and back. Sheriff's officials say she lost consciousness on the way to the hospital and doctors were concerned about swelling around her airways. She was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Hanson was arrested as he was walking along a nearby road. Deputies say Hanson claimed the assault was self-defense.

As part of his plea, Hanson agreed to a sentence of just over three years in prison. He'll be sentenced October 31st.