DERRY — State Rep. Frank Sapareto was arrested earlier this month on charges of simple assault, Derry police and Sapareto confirmed Wednesday.

Police Sgt. John Cooney said Sapareto was charged with three counts of simple assault on May 4.

Sapareto said the charges stem from an incident in which he was trying to keep himself in between his girlfriend, Barbara Battite, and her son, Anthony Battite, who could not be reached for comment.

He said he did not assault Anthony Battite and described the contact as light pushing.

“It was just bumping,” Sapareto said. “I repelled him away from his mother.”

Barbara Battite said she was surprised Sapareto was arrested and that her son, who she said is 19, has a history of problems, including violence.

“He's pretty violent,” she said of her son. “(Sapareto) shouldn't have been arrested.”

Sapareto said he is confident that he will be exonerated.

“I'm just so disgusted over this whole thing,” he said. “I've never had any kinds of issues like this.”

He said he also hopes Anthony Battite “gets the help he needs.”