Jury finds city man guilty of second-degree assault

Andrew Clement (Rochester Police photo)

DOVER - It took just a little more than an hour for a Strafford County Superior Court jury to find a Rochester man guilty of second-degree assault for pushing a man off a sidewalk curb, causing him to break his ankle.

Andrew Clement, 33, of 15 Hussey Hill Road, will now be sentenced for the April 24, 2015, assault within 30-60 days.

In closing arguments on Wednesday Clement's defense lawyer argued that his client's actions were negligent but not reckless and that he wasn't trying to break the victim's ankle.

But Assistant County Attorney Tim Sullivan said it was, indeed, reckless, and that anyone should know that when they push someone there is always the likelihood of serious bodily injury.

Court records indicate Clement caused the victim to fall backward off of a city sidewalk, causing him to break his ankle.

Clement faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.