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Acton landlord faces prison in tractor attack on tenants

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Leslie B. Dennis (YCSO photo)

YORK, Maine - An Acton landlord has been indicted on assault charges for allegedly running his tractor into two tenants after a dispute over shrubbery following their eviction notice in July.

Leslie B. Dennis, 65, of 35 Dennis Lane, was formally charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a weapon, reckless conduct/weapon and assault, charges that could land him in jail up to 25 years if convicted.

Police say Dennis' actions led to one of his female tenants breaking her hip.

Sheriff's deputies first learned of the dispute around 9:45 p.m. on July 31 when they were called to Dennis Lane for a reported disturbance. The caller reported hearing gunshots, screaming and a tractor.

While responding, deputies learned that a woman had been "run over" by the tractor and a suspect was threatening people with a weapon.

Subsequent investigation determined that two women had rented an apartment from Dennis, and that he planned to evict them.

Dennis had called YCSO earlier in the day to say they were digging up plants from the back yard. Deputies determined it was a civil issue and advised Dennis to pursue a civil avenue for redress.

One of the tenants decided to continue to dig up some plants in the evening with her adult son. This upset Dennis and he got on his tractor and starting driving toward them in a threatening manner, according to a York County Sheriff's Office press release sent on Aug. 1.

The son then approached Dennis and struck him with a shovel prompting Dennis to allegedly strike the man with the tractor and run over a female tenant, breaking her hip.

The woman was transported to Southern Maine Health Care in Sanford for treatment.

The York County indictments were handed down Tuesday and released on Thursday.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that enough evidence has been gathered to warrant a trial.

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