N.C. man in court on charge in serious assault

MIDDLETOWN — A North Carolina man was arraigned in Superior Court at Middletown Tuesday on an assault charge after a victim was dropped off at a local hospital with what police described as severe injuries.

A female assault victim, who had extensive facial injuries, was dropped off at the Middlesex Hospital emergency department by a dark-colored sport utility vehicle, police said in a report. The driver then left the hospital.

Due to the extent of the victim’s injuries, she was transferred and admitted to Hartford Hospital, police said.

After an investigation, detectives secured an arrest warrant for 39-year-old Kasime Leary, of Ahoskie, N.C., for his role in the assault, police said. On Monday, detectives and patrol officers found Leary after surveilling the city’s North End, they said.

Leary, who was driving a dark-colored SUV, was taken into custody on the warrant, and charged with first-degree assault due to

the seriousness of the victim’s injuries, police said. Leary was initially issued a $500,000 bond but that was lowered to $200,000 after his court appearance Tuesday.

He is being held by law enforcement in lieu of posting the bond. The judge also issued a full protective order against him, according to court documents.

Leary is expected to appear in court Nov. 9.