Man Makes Bail, Returns for Second Domestic Assault on Girlfriend, Police Say

A man broke back into his girlfriend’s O’Fallon home and assaulted her immediately after his mother bailed him out of jail for a similar charge against the same woman, police said.

Matthew Knight, 36, was charged Monday with first-degree burglary, felonious restraint and third-degree domestic assault.

O’Fallon Police said Knight’s mother confirmed she bailed Knight out of jail at 5 a.m. Sunday and drove him to get his truck.

The truck was parked outside his girlfriend’s home in the 100 block of Lamplighter Way in O’Fallon at about 5:15 a.m. Sunday. His mother said she saw him drive north on Highway K and didn’t see him again until 7 a.m. when he returned to her home.

Police said Knight returned to his girlfriend’s home and used her keys to enter her home. He then scrolled through her cell phone and saw she had called her ex-husband and he became enraged, according to a court document.

The woman told officers she awoke to Knight standing over her, screaming and throwing water on her. She tried to call 911, but could not give the address before Knight grabbed the cell phone from her.

She told police that she tried to leave the house numerous times, but Knight picked her up and drug her back into the home and threw her to the ground.

At one point, Knight told his girlfriend he would get a knife and kill himself. The woman told police she believed Knight would kill her. After about one hour, the woman was able to break away and call 911.

O’Fallon police said Knight has a history of numerous arrests and convictions for domestic assault.

Knight is being held in the St. Charles County jail. Bail was set at $50,000.

If you have experienced or know someone who has experienced domestic or sexual violence, find resources through the Bridgeway Women’s Center by calling 877-946-6854; or call the Safe Connections 24-hour crisis hotline at 314-531-2003.