DALLAS (AP) - A Dallas-area man charged in a 2011 mutilation attack that left his girlfriend needing more than 500 stitches says she was the aggressor in earlier fights.

Jose Arreola returns to the stand Wednesday in his Dallas aggravated sexual assault trial. He also faces charges of family violence and retaliation.

Arreola's now-former girlfriend testified last week that he first attacked her in 2009. He was free on bail when he allegedly raped and sexually mutilated her in March 2011.

Arreola took the stand after the prosecution rested Tuesday. He described how the couple argued in June 2009 while in the pool at their home. Arreola testified he left the pool but his girlfriend followed, tripped and hit her head.

The woman testified Arreola hit her in the head with a vase.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)