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Salem martial arts instructor faces assault charge

SALEM, Mass. (AP) - A Salem martial arts instructor charged with beating his girlfriend so severely that her own parents barely recognized her has been ordered held without bail.

The Salem News reports a judge told 37-year-old Joseph Louf on Tuesday that his is "the worst case of ongoing and systematic domestic violence I've seen."

Louf has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault and battery.

Police say Louf's 27-year-old girlfriend suffered "cauliflower" ears, multiple broken noses, broken teeth, detached retinas and scars, bruises and bumps all over her body. She now needs reconstructive surgery.

Louf's attorney Joseph Simons said his client is innocent and the woman's injuries are from mixed-martial arts fighting.

Prosecutor Kate MacDougall said Louf dominated the woman and treated her like a "hostage," controlling her phone and social media accounts.