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SOMERSET COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

3 years for making ex-wife swallow ring

By Erin Rhoda erhoda@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- A Fairfield man pleaded guilty Thursday to assaulting his former wife and forcing her to swallow his wedding ring.

Superior Court Justice John Nivison sentenced the man, Darryl Alan Roberts, 44, to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to four Class C felonies: aggravated criminal mischief, domestic-violence assault and two counts of domestic-violence terrorizing.

He also pleaded guilty to violating his probation conditions from a previous conviction of domestic-violence assault against the same woman. He was convicted in that case on April 27 in Waterville District Court.

The woman, Theresa Rice, 30, said she still fears for her safety and worries he will continue to contact her from prison. "It's hell. I have to worry constantly about what's going on," she said.

"I don't understand how with four felonies he can only get three years," she said. She said she plans to apply for a protection order when he's released.

District Attorney Evert Fowle said he understands Rice's concerns. The maximum sentence the court could have imposed was five years.

"Maine courts don't hand out three-year sentences routinely; but on the other hand, certainly you can make a case that a greater sentence should have been imposed," he said.

"He certainly deserves every day of the three years," Fowle said. "... If the victim thinks that less-than-complete justice was served, I don't blame her."

Roberts' most recent conviction stems from the night of June 23, when he kicked his way into Rice's home and locked bedroom. According to police, he grabbed her by the throat and punched her in the head.

At one point during the assault, when she opened her mouth to scream, he shoved his wedding band into her mouth and then held her mouth and nose until she swallowed the ring.

He also called her numerous times before and after the attack to make threats on her life. On June 24, he told her he was going to wait for her in her apartment and kill her when she came home, according to court documents.

Police arrested him July 25 in Fairfield. He has been held at the Somerset County Jail without bail since then.

In Somerset County Superior Court on Thursday, Nivison asked Roberts whether the allegations brought against him were accurate.

Roberts replied, "Somewhat, yes."

Nivison reworded his question, asking again if Roberts agreed that the basic allegations of criminal mischief, assault and terrorizing were correct.

Roberts replied, "Yes."

Nivison later asked Roberts whether he had anything further to say.

Roberts said, "No, sir."

Erin Rhoda -- 474-9534

erhoda@centralmaine.com