RUMFORD – A Rumford man whom police say beat a man unconscious during an attack on Cumberland Street this week will be arraigned in July in Paris on the felony assault charge. Alcohol was a factor with both men, police said.
Clifford L. Gammon Jr., 39, of 206 Cumberland St., was arrested and charged with aggravated assault at 7:50 p.m. Monday as he left the men’s room at the Rumford Eagles Aerie No. 1248, Sgt. David Bean said Friday afternoon.
The victim of the 7:20 p.m. assault, a 59-year-old Rumford man, was taken to Rumford Hospital by Med-Care Ambulance, treated for severe facial injuries and released, Bean said.
Because Gammon could not make bail of either $50,000 cash or $100,000 surety, he was taken to Oxford County Jail in Paris.
At Gammon’s initial appearance on Wednesday in Oxford County Superior Court in Paris, Justice Robert Crowley released him on personal recognizance bail with conditions that he not possess or use alcohol or drugs, be subject to random searches or testing, and have no contact with the victim. He will be arraigned on July 24 in the Paris court.
Witnesses first contacted Rumford police about 7:20 p.m. Monday, alerting them to the assault and reporting that the victim was on the ground and unconscious in the parking lot of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1641 in Rumford, Bean said.
Bean and Patrolman Tracey Higley responded.
“The two men knew each other, but it is not clear what happened,” Bean said. “The nearest we can tell is that they were there at the VFW for only a few minutes. They had already been drinking and came in together. Then people at a distance saw them arguing and the attack was very sudden.”
Bean said Gammon beat the man with both his fists and feet. Witnesses rushed down from their apartments to stop the assault and Gammon then walked away, Bean said.
“The victim didn’t have any idea why he was attacked. He had some severe cuts all the way through his lip where he had been kicked in the face. The kicks smashed the dentures inside his mouth and he had to have several stitches. He also had multiple bruises and abrasions,” Bean said.
When feet are used in an assault, life-threatening issues come into play, which is why Higley charged Gammon with aggravated assault, a Class B felony, Bean said.
Rumford Detective Sgt. James Bernard said Thursday that Gammon has a lengthy criminal record, but three previous convictions in 2006 were on misdemeanor charges of criminal trespassing, assault, disorderly conduct and violating conditions of release.
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