A Springfield man started the weekend off in jail after escalating a verbal argument.

On October 21st, at approximately 12:10 a.m. Deputy X.D. Bates responded to Brighton Way for a report of an assault. The caller advised Philip Pierce, 41, assaulted an acquaintance before fleeing the scene.

The victim advised Pierce came to the residence to talk. During their conversation, things escalated and Pierce took a lit cigarette and burned the victim with it. Pierce then allegedly jumped on the victim before running out of the residence. Deputy Bates also discovered there was a protective order in place.

Deputies canvased that area and were able to quickly locate Pierce in the neighborhood. He was taken into custody without incident. Pierce was charged with malicious wounding, assault and battery, and violation of a protective order. Pierce was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.