BERNE — A Schoharie man and a Tennessee woman have been arrested for attacking a 27-year-old Berne woman, pinning her down, and strangling her until she lost consciousness, police say.

On Nov. 24, Joseph B. Peek, 27, of Schoharie, and Melanie A. Jenkins, 32, of Tennessee, confronted Peek’s ex-girlfriend at her home on Helderberg Trail in Berne before attacking her, according to a report from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office. Peek punched the woman and held her down; at one point he stood on her back and neck with his work boots while Jenkins strangled the woman until she was unconscious, according to the report.

Witnesses called police after seeing the woman attacked, and sheriff’s deputies arrived around 10:30 p.m. and arrested Peek and Jenkins, the report said. The Berne woman was evaluated by paramedics from the sheriff’s office but refused further treatment.

Peek was charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor; Jenkins was charged with second-degree strangulation, a felony. They were arraigned in Berne Town Court; Jenkins was sent to Albany County’s jail in lieu of $500 bail and Peek was released on his own recognizance; both are due back in court on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.. An order of protection was issued against both Jenkins and Peek to protect the Berne woman.