SCITUATE — A man is facing felony charges for allegedly biting his girlfriend’s hand during an argument at an intersection near their home.

According to police Capt. Stephen B. Lang, Mark S. Townsend, 38, of 8 Mill St., was brought before Judge Jeanne LaFazia in District Court, Warwick, yesterday on a charge of domestic assault. The charge normally is a misdemeanor, Lang said, but Townsend has been convicted of the offense three other times. After two convictions, the next one is raised to the level of a felony, Lang said, adding that Townsend was sentenced a year ago this month to a five-year term at the Adult Correctional Institutions, with one year to serve, for violating a no-contact order. He thus remains under a four-year suspended sentence, which can now be imposed on top of any penalty awarded for this weekend’s incident.

Bail Commissioner Richard Finnegan had on Saturday set bail at $10,000, which Townsend failed to post. LaFazia yesterday continued the suspect’s bail at that amount, but also ordered him held without bail pending a Superior Court probation hearing. His next Superior Court appearance was set for July 14.

Lang gave this account:

Townsend got into an argument on Friday evening with his girlfriend, Cheryl L. Gardner, 35, of the same address.

The confrontation became a “push and shove” event. Gardner yelled that she was going to call the police, and put out her hand to fend Townsend off. He sank his teeth into her hand, while she scratched his face and ripped off his shirt.

When Townsend released her, Gardner ran from the house. Townsend followed her on a bicycle.

When the pair reached the intersection of Mill and Main streets, they encountered a car carrying Gardner’s son and his girlfriend. Gardner had been arguing with her son over the telephone just before she got into the confrontation with Townsend.

Soon all four were arguing in the intersection, which is when neighbors summoned the police.

Patrolwoman Francisca Cochran arrived and settled the argument by arresting Townsend.

Lang said that Gardner declined medical attention for the bite.

tmorgan@projo.com