AUGUSTA — A Gardiner man will serve two years behind bars for shooting his girlfriend in the abdomen last September in the apartment the couple shared.

Kenneth L. Sirmans, 40, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court to a charge of aggravated assault for the Sept. 3, 2010, shooting of Alison T. Wainwright, now 41.

Justice Robert Murray sentenced Sirmans to 10 years in prison, with all but two years suspended, and  three years’ probation.

The sentence was recommended by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney.

Wainwright spent a week or more in the hospital, but has recovered, according to Scott Gurney, Sirman’s attorney.

Assistant District Attorney James Mitchell Jr. said the pair had been drinking prior to the schooting and that Sirmans told police the revolver went off accidentally, and he only meant to scare Wainwright. Sirmans call 911 after the shooting occurred.

Gurney said Sirman had a significant substance abuse problem.

Conditions of probation ban Sirmans from use and possession of alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms and dangerous weapons.