A Butler man is accused of hitting his wife with a shoe during a domestic dispute at their home in the city’s Island neighborhood.

Butler police Tuesday arrested 57-year-old Paul E. Blackwell Sr. on misdemeanor assault charges in the altercation Monday morning at the couple’s house on Negley Avenue.

Police suspect Blackwell attacked his wife while he was helping her put on compression socks, according to court documents.

An officer Tuesday spoke to the alleged victim, Linda Blackwell, at Butler Memorial Hospital where she had gone for treatment of injuries. It was not known why she waited a day to report what happened.

She told investigators that her husband was helping her put on the specialty hosiery when he got angry after her leg jerked. In turn, documents said, he hit her in the right leg with a shoe.

Compression stockings are used to improve circulation, prevent injury, and alleviate shin splints.

When the victim’s leg continued to jerk, police said, the defendant hit her a second time with the shoe.

Investigators noted the woman’s right leg had “severe bruising,” documents said, allegedly from the shoe attack.

District Judge Sue Haggerty arraigned Blackwell on a charge of simple assault. He was placed in the Butler County Prison on $5,000 bail.

At his arraignment, Blackwell said is unemployed and on disability. His preliminary hearing is 1:45 p.m. Monday before District Judge William Fullerton.