UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – A Utica man has been charges with assault in relation to a incident Saturday evening in West Utica. Police were called to a house in the 1200 block of Court Street Saturday about 6:15PM. They found a group of people outside the house preparing to go after a man. The police investigation found that the man allegedly attacked a woman inside the house, twice beating her and strangling her to the point where she lost consciousness. He also, reportedly, threatened to hit her with a tire iron.

The woman had only recently met her attacker. He said that she owed him money. After police intervened and kept the crowd from getting to him, 38 year old Henry McGriff of Utica was arrested and charged with Third Degree Assault and Second Degree Strangulation. McGriff also had an outstanding warrant for Petit Larceny.

The Victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. McGriff was taken to the Utica Police Station for booking.