DANVILLE — A selectman who admitted that he pushed a teenager at a community movie night because he thought the boy was tampering with equipment is now facing assault charges.

Russell Harding, 35, turned himself in to state police Sept. 6 on two counts of simple assault.

Harding, of 23 Coburn Hill Road, is accused of grabbing the teenager by the back of his neck and forcing his head into a table, according to the complaints.

Harding was charged after an investigation by state police launched after the mother of the boy called Danville police on Aug. 19 to complain about the alleged assault, police chief Wade Parsons said.

State Police Sgt. Sara Hennessey said the agency was asked by Parsons to conduct the investigation to avoid a conflict.

During a selectmen's meeting Sept. 4, Harding admitted that he “made a mistake” on the night of the incident, but he has refused to resign from the board.

The charges stem from an altercation with the teenager at the town movie night held at Day Field Aug. 18.

Harding went ahead with setting up the movie night even after the police chief had postponed it earlier in the day due to the threat of rain.

Selectmen told Harding they weren't happy that he held the movie night just the same, but they said they were more concerned about the incident with the teenager as Harding was taking down the movie equipment that night.

Harding said the incident occurred after he went into nearby Mayo's Market to tell workers that the movie was being closed down. He said he was returning to the field when he noticed a person standing by the equipment.

Harding said he approached and stood between the equipment and the other person, who turned out to be a young teenager. Harding said he was worried that the equipment would be damaged or stolen.

Harding told selectmen that he “touched” the teenager. In an interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader, he said only that he pushed the boy away from the equipment. He also said other teenagers on bicycles began making comments and that police officer Michelle Cooper was called in to address the issue with the teens.

Cooper, a part-time police officer who was on duty that night, is also a selectman and joined other selectmen in calling for Harding's resignation.

“All I know is I made a mistake that night. For that, I'm sorry,” Harding told selectmen last week.

Harding was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail and will be arraigned in the 10th Circuit Court, Plaistow District Division, Sept. 24.