LAYTON, Utah - Police have a man in custody they say forced a woman into her Layton apartment and then assaulted her with various objects for the next 20 hours while she was in and out of consciousness.
Lt. Travis Lyman said 21-year-old Benjamin Luke Burnside kidnapped his ex-girlfriend at knife-point Aug. 4 and then assaulted her from 11 p.m. through 7 p.m. the next day at her Layton Meadows apartment.
"He strangled her several times, she lost consciousness several times, he used a golf club and a metal refrigerator strip to beat her; he stopped her from screaming and calling 911," Lt. Lyman said. "She said he did it because he did not want her to break up with him."
Davis County Court documents state, "The defendant told her, 'Do you want to die?' And, 'I have the power to kill you and I can kill you if I want.'"
Police said Wednesday evening Burnside forced her to drive him around in her car to get food and that was when she was able to escape.
According to the documents, Burnside stole $80 and the woman's make up bag.
Authorities said the victim took herself to the hospital.
Officers found Burnside four days after the alleged assault, hiding in his apartment; they said he was not cooperative.
Police said the victim told them Burnside was taking methamphetamines and prescription drugs.
Burnside is facing felony charges including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary.
Officials said he has a criminal history which includes felony drug charges, domestic violence and assault.
He has a felony arraignment Aug. 17 at 9 a.m.
