ROCKLAND — A Rockland man will serve nine months in jail for assaulting a child, causing injuries that included multiple bruises and knocking out a tooth.

Thor A. Alley, 26, was sentenced by Judge Barbara Raimondi Oct. 25 in Knox County Unified Court to five years in jail with all but nine months suspended, for aggravated assault. He will be on probation for four years after he is released from jail.

A charge of unlawful sexual contact was dismissed.

The investigation began after Rockland police were notified by a principal that a student came to school with extensive bruising, according to the affidavit filed in court by Detective Alex Gaylor.

The assault occurred Sept. 19 in Rockland.

The child told police that Alley punched him in the head and groin area, bit him on the shoulder and knocked out a loose tooth.

Alley will begin serving his sentence Nov. 2.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com