Newport Man Accused Of Rape And Assault In Nashua After 2024 Incident

NASHUA, NH — A man from Newport is facing felony charges after being accused of raping a woman a year ago in Nashua.

On Feb. 28, an officer took a report from a woman who accused Christopher Gassett, 56, of Victory Drive in Newport, of raping her in April 2024. The woman told police she worked with Gassett’s girlfriend and lived on the same street, often walking together and socializing. On April 19, 2024, she met with Gassett and his girlfriend for drinks at several establishments in the city together, an affidavit stated. They returned to Gassett’s girlfriend’s home later, since they were all intoxicated, the report said. Gassett’s girlfriend fell asleep while Gassett and the victim were still awake and decided to have a nightcap.

“While in the kitchen of the residence,” the affidavit stated, “Christopher had made three alcoholic drinks and handed one to (the victim). (The victim) consumed the beverage and Christopher handed her another drink. (The victim) stated that this was the last thing she remembered about the evening and she fell asleep.”

The victim woke up later, while on a couch, and accused Gassett of sexually assaulting her, the report said. She tried to yell, but Gassett “put his hand on her neck and told her not to scream,” the affidavit said. He also slapped her across the face “multiple times,” the report alleged.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Nashua Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

After being assaulted, she fell back asleep and did not wake up until the next morning. She told the officer that her pants were on backwards and below her waist when she woke up. Her shirt was on, but her bra and tank top were on the floor. The victim gathered her clothes and left around 6:30 a.m.

A detective was assigned to the case and reinterviewed the victim. She also provided a picture of herself showing bruising on her upper arm, elbow, breasts, and upper chest, injuries she said were sustained during the assault, according to the report. The victim also submitted a Facebook message, reportedly from Gassett, sent a few weeks after the attack. In the message, Gassett said his girlfriend said he “physically hurt” her “and for that, I am truly sorry and that you have to deal with this,” the report stated. He also was accused of writing, “I don’t recall much from that night and that’s not an excuse … I should have been a gentleman, and I wasn’t. I’ve destroyed the one true positive in my life,” the affidavit said.

The victim replied, “You know what you did,” and Gassett then blocked her, preventing any further communication on Facebook, the report said.

The victim decided to file a police report due to an ongoing investigation after the victim filed a workplace complaint against Gassett’s girlfriend, the report stated.

The victim provided the names of four people she spoke with about the attack, including her husband at the time and close friends. The detective interviewed all four people, the report said, who confirmed what the victim told them.

On March 1, two detectives spoke to Gassett’s girlfriend about the incident. She said she ended her relationship with him after hearing about the allegation. She provided police with an exchange on Facebook Messenger in November 2024, where she questioned him about the attack.

“Do you think you violated her?,” she asked.

“Definitely violated? I don’t know,” he was accused of writing.

“Do you remember hurting her at all? Putting your hand over her mouth?

“I don’t know,” he was accused of saying.

The next day, the detectives contacted Gassett at the Newport Police Department. He confirmed the night of drinking, that he made two more drinks for the victim, and accused of the victim of undressing and touching him, the report said. Gassett told the detectives she “wanted” him, while she was pleasuring herself, an affidavit stated. The victim, he said, went to the bathroom later and fell asleep, the affidavit said. Gassett tried to get her clothes back on and went to bed, the report said. Gassett was accused of admitting he was intoxicated and “blacked out” during the evening and “hoped” his recollection was accurate because there were parts of the evening he did not remember.

“At one point in his statement, Christopher stated that there was a timeframe when he was on the couch with (the victim) and he ‘really didn't know what happened’ and he added, ‘I wish I did’,” the detective wrote.

A warrant was issued for Gassett’s arrest on March 26 and he was picked up the next day. He was charged with two felony aggravated felonious sexual assault counts and two simple assault charges. He was held without bail and arraigned by video on March 28.

The Nashua Police Department requests anyone with more information about this incident to contact the Crime Line at 603-589-1665.

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