Man Accused Of Repeatedly Assaulting Elderly Nashua Woman

NASHUA, NH — A Nashua man is facing numerous charges after being accused of breaking into an apartment and assaulting an elderly woman on Friday, according to police.

At around 9 p.m., officers were sent to Foundry Street for a report of two 911 hang-up calls. When they arrived, they spoke to a tenant of the building who reported seeing a man enter into an apartment through a window. The woman then heard an altercation — including the woman screaming. The tenant said she believed the man was known to the woman, an affidavit stated.

Officers went to the apartment and spoke to the woman, who was "visibly injured," as well as Stephen Balsam, 52, a homeless man now located in Nashua.

The woman accused Balsam of punching her in the face repeatedly, kicking her on the leg, and pulling her hair. The affidavit stated Balsam also took her phones so she couldn't call 911 — while also telling her "to lie to the police and tell them she got her injuries from a fall."

The woman was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center where she was treated for numerous bruises, contusions, lacerations, and a fractured eye socket.

Balsam was questioned and admitted to breaking into the apartment, the affidavit stated. He was then arrested and charged with felony second-degree assault-domestic violence, domestic violence-obstructing the report of a crime or injury, and criminal trespass.

A detective spoke with the woman later and she said Balsam attempted to enter her apartment earlier to retrieve items that were his and she wouldn't let him in, the report said. Later, he climbed through the window and assaulted her, an affidavit said.

"Stephen immediately spit in her face, kicked her in the leg, placed his hands around her neck to restrain her, and then slapped her across the face," the affidavit said.

The victim went into her bedroom to attempt to call the police and, according to the report, "Stephen then grabbed her hair and pulled her backwards onto the bed. He then proceeded to punch her in the face approximately four times."

The detective noted that the victim's injuries were consistent with her statements, the affidavit said. A walkthrough of the apartment also lent credence to her accusations, the report said.

Balsam was interviewed again and, according to the affidavit, he admitted to entering through the window after being denied entrance to retrieve items but claimed the victim had fallen and hurt herself. The detective said the claim "was not consistent to the injuries." Balsam also had blood drops on his sweatshirt and swollen knuckles, the report said.

Balsam was held on preventative detention and arraigned on April 5. He is due back in Hillsborough County Superior Court South for a dispositional conference on May 11.

According to the court, Balsam was accused of burglary and theft by deception back in March 2017 at the Sky Meadow Country Club, where he used to work. He pleaded guilty to burglary, felony theft by deception-$1,501+, and misdemeanor theft by deception-less than $1,000 in November 2018. He was booked for restitution hearings throughout 2019 and 2020, according to the court.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Nashua Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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