A Sarver man used his hand to cover a woman’s mouth to prevent her from screaming for help after he allegedly beat and confined her in a closet, according to the woman’s testimony at a Tuesday, July 14, preliminary hearing.

Bryce Radio, 19, sat on the opposite side of the courtroom from the woman as she cried while testifying about a July 2 incident. Radio was charged by Buffalo Township police with one misdemeanor count each of unlawful restraint, simple assault and terroristic threats following the incident.

The woman said the two had arrived at their Sarvers Mill Drive residence around 11 p.m. after a day out on July 2. She said Radio was angry at her for telling his father about previous alleged abuse and he forced her to get in a closet when they entered the residence.

The woman said Radio threatened her while in the closet and positioned his body and arms so she could not get out of the open closet door.

She said Radio continued to threaten her and took her out of the closet before telling her never to tell his parents about the alleged abuse again.

She said she then went to take a shower while Radio did the dishes.

After the woman’s shower, she said she saw Radio’s phone in the bedroom while he was in the kitchen and went to watch videos on it. She testified Radio saw her and believed she was looking through his phone, became angry and yelled at her.

The woman said she then attempted to pack a backpack and leave. While she was attempting to pack, she said Radio grabbed the backpack, dumped out the clothes she had packed and threw it at her face with lotion and perfume bottles still inside.

She said she then went to the bathroom to check her face for injuries and decided to leave without the backpack. She said when she tried to leave, Radio pulled the back of her shirt and she fell backward.

The woman said she got up, then tried to yell for help. She said Radio then Radio threw her on the ground multiple times and covered her mouth with his hands while threatening her.

The woman said she then agreed to do what Radio wanted. When they were standing again and Radio turned around, the woman said she quickly left the residence.

The woman said she went to a neighboring residence she was familiar with and Radio followed her. She then entered the back door of the residence and locked it, she said.

Inside the home, the woman said she banged on the homeowner’s bedroom door to ask for help. She said Radio then went around the house and entered the front door of the residence.

The homeowners then talked to Radio and the woman said when police were mentioned, Radio went to the kitchen and got a knife. Another man then restrained Radio until police arrived, she said.

The woman also said Radio had slapped her in the face twice earlier in the day after she accidentally hit Radio in the face with her purse.

She testified Radio is diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses. She said Radio had run out of medication about four days before the incident and had refilled them about two days before the incident.

Buffalo Township Sergeant Scott Hess responded to the residence and detained Radio. He then interviewed the attacked woman and another woman at the scene.

Hess said he was not wearing a body camera during the incident, did not record any interviews and did not interview Radio or the man who restrained him when asked by defense attorney Michael Zunder.

Zunder declined to comment further.

Hess said he photographed injuries on the woman’s face, arms and legs that appeared fresh.

“It was clear that they were fingerprints,” Hess said of marks on the woman’s arm.

Hess said the woman did not seek medical attention the night of the incident or after. He said he did not receive a written statement from the woman about the incident until the day before the preliminary hearing.

Hess also testified he never saw Radio with a knife.

District Judge Jack D. Ripper held all charges for court.

Radio’s formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 1 in Butler County Common Pleas Courtroom 2.