Newtown pleaded not guilty to the charge and his attorney Mohamed Zafar told the court that his client has no antecedents and attends church every Sunday. He pointed out that the charge stems from his client asking Blackman to leave his yard.
Prosecutor Stephen Telford told the court that Blackman sustained injuries to her face when the defendant cuffed her. The prosecutor however did not object to bail.
Newton is to return to court on February 11.
