Wisconsin man accused of setting apartment on fire and then sexually assaulting woman

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) — An Eau Claire man is accused of setting his apartment on fire and then sexually assaulting a woman who came to check on his welfare.

Fifty-six-year-old Wesley Halliday is charged in Eau Claire County with endangering safety, fourth-degree sexual assault, battery and bail jumping.

A criminal complaint says Halliday started a fire in the apartment Monday by burning papers at his stove. A woman who has a key for all the apartments in the building told police she entered the apartment and saw Halliday burning papers. She says he pushed her against a wall and assaulted her.

The woman ran away and called for help. The Leader-Telegram says Halliday apologized for grabbing the woman and said he was sick and not doing well.

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