NORWICH – A Sherburne man who claimed he had been stabbed in an altercation at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment has now been charged with third degree assault and second degree criminal trespassing.

Police charged Jacob A. Wilkes, 24, following a four month long criminal investigation into the confrontation. Police said Wilkes refused to leave the residence after being told too and fought with another man in an attempt to enter the apartment by force.

At about 7 a.m. Dec. 20, Wilkes drove himself to the city police station with two stab wounds – one just below his sternum and the other to his upper left rib cage. Wilkes told police he had been attacked at an apartment at 16 Sheldon St. in the City of Norwich less than an hour earlier.

Officers never confirmed that such an attack took place and executed a search warrant a few hours after it was reported at the apartment.

Deputy Police Chief Rodney Marsh said officers did not recover the weapon used in the attack and could not find any evidence to support the claim that Wilkes had been stabbed in the apartment’s stairwell, where Wilkes said the altercation took place.

In a phone interview with The Evening Sun Dec. 23, Wilkes said he was stabbed with an 8-inch kitchen steak knife following a confrontation with another man.

He claimed he was attempting to visit the resident of the home, a woman he admitted he had a lengthy personal relationship with, while on his way to Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, where he works in the nursing unit.

Wilkes claimed he was let in by the woman, who unlocked the apartment’s door. He then said he was confronted by an armed male occupant inside and a fight ensued.

However, police said the three occupants at the apartment told a different story, denying Wilkes was stabbed.

Police also refused to comment on whether or not they believe the wounds to be self inflicted.