AUGUSTA — A Clinton man was ordered to serve an initial six years of a 17-year prison sentence, followed by four years’ probation, for robbing a stranger of his life savings, leaving the older man with both sides of his jaw broken.

Richard B. Poirier, 25, who also had an address in Rome, pleaded guilty to the Feb. 5, 2014, robbery Friday at a hearing in Kennebec County Superior Court at the Capital Judicial Center. In exchange for the plea to robbery, which carries a maximum 30-year prison term, charges of burglary, aggravated assault and aggravated criminal trespass were dismissed.

Assistant District Attorney Francis Griffin told the judge at the hearing that Waterville police discovered the victim’s property before they found him.

He said three officers working the night shift were dispatched in response to a report of a shirtless male trying to kick down the door to a Main Street residence in Waterville. The man, Poirier, was highly intoxicated, and police searching him found a wallet belonging to Edward P. Cook containing more than $3,050 in cash. Poirier told police that Cook owed him money for alcohol.

A police dispatcher contacted Cook, who said someone broke into his North Street home, hit him on the head and took his wallet and money.

Cook was taken to the hospital for treatment of head injuries, including the broken jaw.

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“He would testify he’s still in pain today and still has problems eating,” Griffin said.

Griffin said Cook was at the courthouse on Thursday anticipating the plea would be that day.

“He described to me yesterday some of the ongoing problems he continues to have,” Griffin said.

Cook, now 69, did not attend Friday’s hearing. Griffin said Cook remains frustrated about the attack. Cook went to court three months after the attack and succeeded in getting an order returning his property to him. He described the bill denominations: 28 $100 bills, 10 $20 bills and one $50 bill. Cook said at that time he was still recovering from the attack, in which the robber kicked him in the face. Cook said his face will never look the same.

“It’s something I have to live with,” Cook said. “He broke my jaw in two places. He invaded my home.”

Griffin said witnesses reported Poirier was in Cook’s building several times that night, but Griffin said the two men were strangers.

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Justice Robert Mullen warned Poirier, “You would have 11 years to serve if you violated your probation.” Mullen also ordered Poirier to pay up to $2,600 restitution.

Poirier said little at the hearing except to indicate he understood the rights he was waiving by pleading guilty and not going to trial.

“My client, since he’s been incarcerated, he’s taken advantage of every program offered at the jail and been leading some,” defense attorney Scott Gurney said. “Obviously he regrets his actions that night.”

Gurney said Poirier had worked on the area natural gas pipeline project and had been laid off about two months before the incident.

“My client felt his substance abuse took hold of him,” Gurney said. “He realizes he has to have counseling when he gets out of prison as well.”

Mullen said he accepted the sentencing recommendation partly so Cook would not have to relive the incident during trial, something Griffin said was important.

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Mullen also said he was baffled by the assault on a stranger.

“It seems just completely random and crazy,” Mullen said.

He also warned Poirier that this was his second felony robbery conviction and that would aggravate any subsequent sentences.

A number of other people were sentenced in separate hearings recently in Kennebec County Superior and Augusta District Court cases heard in the Capital Judicial Center:

• Jason Arsenault, 32, of Newport, operating under the influence Sept. 15, 2014, in Waterville; five days in jail, 150-day license suspension, $500 fine.

• Samuel H. Baker, 38, of Pittston, violating protective order Aug. 11, 2014, in Winslow; 180-day jail sentence, all but four days suspended, one-year probation.

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• Kelly Batchelder, 48, of Waterville, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Oct. 8, 2014, in Augusta; 10-day jail sentence.

• Jake Buck, 30, of Windsor, operating after habitual-offender revocation Nov. 5, 2014, in Sidney; three-year prison sentence, all but nine months and one day suspended, two years of probation, $1,000 fine.

• James V. Cipriano, 46, of Augusta, operating under the influence Jan. 2, 2015, in Augusta; $500 fine, 150-day license suspension.

• Cassandra E. Dion, unlawful furnishing of oxycodone and criminal forfeiture of $785 Aug. 27, 2014, in Waterville; three-year jail sentence all suspended, two years of probation, $400 fine, $720 restitution.

• Dustin E. Gay, 31, of Pittston, two counts of operating under the influence Jan. 10, 2015, and March 1, 2015, and violating condition of release March 1, 2015, all in Gardiner; 364-day jail sentence, all but 20 days suspended, one-year probation, $1,600 in fines; three-year license and registration suspension.

• Troy S. Glazier, 47, of Farmingdale, operating beyond license condition/restriction, and driving to endanger Feb. 19, 2015, in West Gardiner; 90-day jail sentence, all but eight days suspended, $575 fine.

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• Nathan R. Morrow, 21, of Caribou, theft by receiving stolen property and operating after habitual-offender revocation May 27, 2014, in Waterville; nine-month jail sentence concurrent to a probation revocation in an Aroostook County case, $500 fine.

• Kevin J. Weeks, 28, of Jefferson, violating condition of release Nov. 30, 2014, in Windsor; 48-hour jail sentence.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams


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