Orem man booked into jail in assault investigation

OREM — Some grudges never die, as evidenced by a 22-year-old man who is accused of punching a 24-year-old man in the face over a years-old conflict.

Orem Police say the victim came to their office Friday to report that the week before he had been at a party in Orem and was approached by a 22-year-old Pleasant Grove man.

The two men, who had grown up together, began talking about the old days, who they knew and what they had in common, said Orem Police Lt. Doug Edwards.

At some point in the conversation, the assailant asked the victim if he remembered when they were both children and the victim had spit in his face, Edwards said.

When the victim said he did remember it, the allegedly intoxicated man punched him in the face, shattering bones in the victim's eye socket, which required surgery and metal plates to fix, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.

The man was later contacted at home where he admitted hitting the victim but said he was defending himself.

He was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of assault.

— Sara Israelsen-Hartley