Lexington man allegedly sexually harassed woman in North Myrtle Beach bar

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, NC (WGHP) — A Piedmont Triad man has been charged in South Carolina after allegedly repeatedly assaulting a woman at a bar.

According to documents provided by Horry County, South Carolina, officers were called to a North Myrtle Beach bar on Saturday about a sexual assault. Officers arrived to find a woman with injuries and took her to the hospital in an ambulance, according to arrest warrants.

The victim told police that she was at the bar when an unknown man, later identified as Douglas Steadman of Lexington, approached her on the dance floor and told her she was too drunk and that the bar was going to kick her out. He then led the woman down a flight of stairs to what she remembered as a “dark area” and sexually assaulted her before briefly disappearing.

According to the arrest warrants, Steadman returned and abused her again. The victim repeatedly told him “no,” and he then covered her nose and mouth with his hand. She told officers she may have passed out at some point during the assault. She said he left and returned several times and continued to sexually abuse her.

After the victim was taken to the hospital, officers investigated the location and found the victim’s phone and clothing nearby. They also spoke with employees at the bar. They reviewed camera footage and found a man matching the victim’s description. The business scans IDs upon entry and they were able to identify Steadman.

Police questioned the suspect, who said he was in the bar and saw the victim, but she was so drunk she fell off the bar stool and was taken away by security. He said he told the woman he would help her get a taxi, but was approached in the parking lot by two “unknown white males.” He denied sexually assaulting the victim.

Steadman was charged with first-degree sexual abuse and kidnapping.