Live-in boyfriend assaults mom, child; strangles cat to death (Conway, South Carolina)

Live-in boyfriend EDWARD JACOB BILTON got mad because his girlfriend's son was playing videogames (?). So the boyfriend punched mom, and then started beating the son when he tried to help mom. That's just for starters. Then the guy threatens to burn the house down (he actually started to pour out the gasoline). And for a finale: he strangles the family cat to death. Boy, I'd hate to see this guy when he's REALLY mad.

http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=10754831

Police: Man assaults mother and child, strangles cat

Posted:
Jul 20, 2009 10:47 AM CDT
Updated: Jul 20, 2009 10:47 AM CDT

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - A Horry County man has been charged with choking a woman, beating her son when he tried to help, trying to burn their house down and strangling the family cat to death.

Edward Jacob Bilton, 38, is charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, attempt to burn, and ill treatment of animals.

According to Horry County Police, officers were called to a home on Highway 378 in Conway around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The victim reported she got into a fight with Bilton, her live-in boyfriend, after he began yelling at her son for playing video games. The woman told investigators Bilton began to choke her, and when her son tried to help her, Bilton began punching the boy in the face.

Following the initial fight, the victim told police Bilton went outside and poured gasoline on the house, threatening to burn it down, and strangled the family cat to death.

Bilton is in police custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.