ACTON — A landlord from Acton, upset that the tenants he intended to evict were apparently digging up plants in his yard, got on a tractor and allegedly hit one of them Monday night, breaking her hip. 

York County Sheriff Bill King said callers told dispatchers that Leslie Dennis, 64, of Dennis Lane in Acton, was threatening people with a weapon. The caller reported hearing gunshots, screaming and a tractor.

The plant-digging incident had begun earlier in the day, when Dennis had contacted the sheriff’s office and reported that his tenants, whom he was planning to evict, were digging up plants from the back yard. Deputies determined it was a civil issue and advised Dennis to pursue a civil avenue for compensation, the sheriff said.

“One of the tenants decided to continue to dig up some plants in the evening with her adult son,” said King. “This upset Mr. Dennis and he got on his tractor and starting driving toward them in a threatening manner.”

“The son approached Mr. Dennis and struck him with a shovel,” King continued. “Dennis struck the man with the tractor and also “ran over” the female tenant, breaking her hip. “

King described the scene as “chaotic.”

The woman was taken by Acton Fire and Rescue to Southern Maine Health Care in Sanford for treatment

Dennis was arrested by York County Sheriff’s Office deputies at about 9:45 p.m.  Monday  He was charged with aggravated assault and taken to York County Jail, where he posted $500 bail.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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