An Iowa City man was charged Sunday with domestic-abuse assault causing injury after he allegedly pushed his girlfriend down the stairs of their apartment, choked her, and dragged her out of the building by her feet.

According to a complaint by Iowa City police, Victor Kabungulu, 47, was arguing with his girlfriend — with whom he had lived for a year — because she was speaking on her cell phone, telling another person he was wandering around the area.

The complaint said Kabungulu took the phone from her and threw it against the wall. He then allegedly dragged her out of their bedroom, kicking and hitting her. He then allegedly pushed her down the stairs, and she began to scream. The complaint said he then began to choke her and covered her mouth in an attempt to stop her from screaming.

Kabungulu then reportedly dragged the victim out of the apartment by her feet, and before he left the area, he allegedly told her he would kill her and get away with it because she didn’t speak English.

— by Matt Starns