INDUSTRY – A Norridgewock man with a New Sharon mailing address was accused Wednesday of hitting an Industry man with a pipe severely enough to break his leg and pulling a woman up an embankment by her hair, police say.

Robert Florian, 33, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and assault, Franklin County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Raymond Meldrum said Thursday.

Florian drove a woman home to her Industry residence and got into a verbal argument with the woman’s partner when he dropped her off, Meldrum said.

Florian, an acquaintance of the couple, then left the residence and the woman and her male partner got into a verbal argument, the chief said.

Someone drove up to the residence and knocked on the door and the male went to find out what was going on.

A short time later, the woman heard her partner say “help.”

She went out and saw the two men down an embankment with Florian hitting her partner with a pipe, Meldrum said.

She tried to get between them and grabbed the pipe, he said.

Florian grabbed the woman by the hair and dragged her back up the embankment, Meldrum said.

Florian then left the scene, and the incident was reported to police.

Deputies Nathan Bean and David Rackliffe responded to the call.

Florian hit the male in the leg with the pipe, which more than likely broke his leg, Meldrum said.

Florian made an initial appearance Thursday before Judge Ralph Tucker in 12th District Court in Farmington.

Assistant District Attorney James Andrews said Florian had a prior assault conviction in 2004 and also violation of conditions of release that same year.

Andrews said the attack Wednesday appears to have caused at least broken bones and possible internal injuries.

He requested $5,000 cash bail or $50,000 surety along with conditions of release that includes no contact with victims and no possession of dangerous weapons.

Florian said his biggest concern is his 3-year-old daughter and being able to see her on Christmas Eve or Christmas.

He said friends of family are supposed to put up property that exceeds $10,000 in value.

Florian tried to explain to the judge what happened, but Tucker told him that any statements made, including those made by emotion, could be used against him.

Tucker agreed with the state’s recommended bail and set a court date of March 16 in Farmington to discuss the matter further.