PARIS — A homeless man with ties to the area was arrested after police said he assaulted a local woman Sunday evening. 

Scott A. Britton, 43, with no listed residence, was arrested by Paris police Officer Raymond Paar around midnight Sunday on Main Street in connection with an incident at a Main Street apartment earlier in the evening. 

Britton was charged with Class A gross sexual assault, Class B aggravated assault and misdemeanor charges of domestic assault and possession of prescription drugs. He faces over 40 years in prison if convicted of the charges.

Britton made an initial court appearance Monday morning and is expected to appear in court on March 3. 

Police first responded to a report of a fight at the Circle K gas station on Main Street in Paris, where a man claimed he had been chased from a woman’s apartment by Britton, whom he was told had sexually assaulted the woman, according to an affidavit filed with the Oxford County Superior Court. 

After interviewing the individual, police made contact with Britton, who was arrested after police allegedly found capsules of hydroxyzine, an antihistamine used for treating anxiety. 

Police later made contact with the victim, who made statements that Britton, with whom she had a past relationship, had entered her apartment, and after a verbal argument, followed her into a bedroom. According to the affidavit, she stated he appeared to be behaving erratically, then struck her in the face and forced her to have sex. 

Britton was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years after being convicted in Androscoggin County Superior Court of unlawful sexual contact with a juvenile in 2006. 

Bail was set at $5,000 cash. He is prohibited from having contact with the victim.