Woman Says She Was Beaten And Caged By Boyfriend

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A woman testified in a Ramsey County courtroom that she was punched, whipped, kicked, threatened with weapons and locked in a dog cage by the boyfriend she was trying to leave.

Twenty-nine-year-old Luke Brandon Scott, of St. Paul, is on trial for assault, terroristic threats and false imprisonment. Twenty-one-year-old Caitlin Hodges testified Thursday that Scott became violent Sept. 26 when she told him she wanted to end their relationship. Scott's attorney alleges Hodges was injured because she was intoxicated and fell.

Hodges testified she begged for her freedom that night and early Sept. 27. She said Scott dragged her by the hair when she tried to get out the back door of his house and smashed a wine bottle in her face.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press says testimony continued Friday.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)