PITTSFIELD (AP) – A Pittsfield man faces an assault charge after allegedly striking a disabled veteran with a metal chair during an argument over unpaid rent.

Ciro Olivares went to Gerald Barber’s home and confronted him about rent money Olivares said was unpaid, Pittsfield Police Officer Jeff Vanadestine said.

Barber, who has extremely limited movement and can only communicate in one-word sentences, apparently raised his cane toward Olivares but never struck him. Vanadestine said that’s when Olivares allegedly picked up a metal kitchen chair and repeatedly struck Barber.

Vanadestine said it took Barber nearly a half hour to walk a few feet to his neighbor’s home for help. He was taken by ambulance to Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield and treated for injuries to his face, shoulders, ribs, arm and elbow.

Olivares, 54, a former local school board member, was charged Saturday with simple assault. Vanadestine said the charge may be upgraded because a weapon, the metal chair, was used in the attack. The case is to be reviewed by the district attorney.

Police were familiar with Barber because of his medical problems. Police were called to his home last week because he fell, and when they arrived they discovered Barber’s home was not heated.

“The house was freezing,” Vanadestine said. Heat has since been provided, but hospital employees later discovered that Barber had not been eating properly because people delivering meals leave his home before he can get to the door.

Vanadestine said it appears Barber’s case had bypassed the public assistance system.

“This man has a wonderful neighbor helping him, but he really cannot be living alone,” the officer said.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-12-18-06 0930EST

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