AUGUSTA — A Gardiner man will spend an initial 18 months behind bars for knocking down a woman leaving a Laundromat in Gardiner and running off with her purse.

David J. Knox, 24, was sentenced Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court to six years in prison, with all but 18 months suspended, and three years of probation for the robbery, which occurred Dec. 28 on Winter Street.

Knox pleaded guilty July 13 to one count of robbery. An additional charge of misuse of identification was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

He was ordered to pay up to $700 restitution, and conditions of probation ban him from contact with the victim.

Assistant District Attorney Brad Grant told the judge that the victim, who did not require hospitalization after the attack, “was very satisfied” with the recommended sentence.

In a separate sentencing hearing Tuesday, Joshua M. Bilodeau, 19, of Waterville pleaded guilty to a robbery in which people were threatened with a crowbar and an Airsoft rifle about an alleged $60 drug debt.

Bilodeau was sentenced to six years in prison with all but one year suspended and three years’ probation. He was banned from contact with the four victims and two codefendants.

Court records show the attack occurred May 4 on May Street in Waterville. People at the home were able to subdue one of the three men who demanded the money. The other two men fled and no money actually was taken.

Grant said there was no serious injury.

Bilodeau was ordered to pay restitution of up to $250.

His attorney, Robert Ruffner, said Bilodeau denied handling either the crowbar or the Airsoft rifle. Statements by others at the scene indicated Bilodeau fought with his hands. Others sentenced Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court:

* Jason S. Boucher, 31, of Vassalboro, domestic violence assault and operating while license suspended or revoked June 29 and operating under the influence April 18, all in Vassalboro; 364-day jail sentence, all but 60 days suspended, one year probation, $750 in fines, 90-day license suspension.

* Brooks L. Noddin, 19, of Lewiston, eluding an officer Dec. 9, 2009, in Litchfield; 90 days concurrent to an Androscoggin County jail sentence relating to the same car chase.

* Melissa S. St. Jean, 31, of Auburn, operating after revocation July 9, 2009, in Winthrop; 60-day jail sentence, $1,000 fine.

* Kendra M. Totten, 23, of Augusta, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs March 8 in Augusta; $750 fine.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com