Butler police say they had to Taser a man who resisted arrest after allegedly holding a knife to his girlfriend’s throat Tuesday during a domestic dispute at his home on West Jefferson Street.

But the Taser proved ineffective, according to court documents, and police had to take 40-year-old Robert W. Budmark to the floor. While being held down, police said, the suspect spat at one of the officers.

Budmark was later arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, simple assault and criminal mischief. He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $15,000 bail following arraignment.

A call shortly after 2 p.m. for a loud fight sent officers to Budmark’s apartment in the 300 block of West Jefferson Street. The defendant claimed his girlfriend, Tina Daniels, hit him in the face, according to court documents.

But Daniels told officers that the suspect pulled a large knife on her and threatened to kill her, police said. He also allegedly grabbed her around the neck.

The officers noted in their report that Daniels had redness around her neck area.

When police Sgt. William Mayhugh tried to arrest Budmark, the defendant refused to place his hands behind his back, documents said. Patrolman Chad Rensel moved in to help but Budmark pulled away.

Mayhugh deployed his Taser but it failed to subdue the suspect. The officers eventually handcuffed Budmark but not without a struggle.

Police said that while the defendant was on the floor, he spat in Mayhugh’s face. Neither officer nor Budmark apparently was injured.