DURHAM – Ronald Leno, the serial rapist who moved to Durham after serving time in Massachusetts, was indicted Thursday on a charge of aggravated assault.

Leno, 56, is charged with beating Paul Pugliese, also of Durham, with a club after Pugliese went to his house on Meadow Road to warn him to stay away from his family.

In a letter to the Sun Journal, Leno argues that he was simply trying to protect himself and his property when he attacked Pugliese on June 12.

The alleged assault occurred days after police warned the people in Durham that Leno was living in their town.

Described by police as a serial rapist who has attacked woman and young girls since the 1970s, Leno had been living on Meadow Road for nearly two years, but police didn’t know about him until a woman from Brunswick filed a protection-from-harassment order against him.

After learning about his extensive record, police advised residents, school officials and others of his presence in the community.

Three days after police made the announcement, Leno allegedly stopped to talk to Pugliese’s wife as she worked in her garden. Leno left without causing any problems, but after Pugliese found out that he had been there, Pugliese went to his house.

According to a police affidavit and a statement from Pugliese, the two men got into a confrontation. Then Leno pulled out a club and hit Pugliese on the head, arm, leg and ear.

Leno has been in Androscoggin County Jail ever since his arrest. In his letter to the Sun Journal, he defends himself against his most recent charge as well as those that he was convicted of in Hawaii and Massachusetts in the 1970s and 1980s.

“When I look in the mirror, I see not who you speak of,” he wrote. “People of Durham, you do not deserve to have me as a neighbor. I have far too much character.”

Leno is scheduled to enter a plea on the charge of aggravated assault.