THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 12, 1995 TAG: 9512120361
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
A 34-year-old homeless man was sentenced to 10 years in prison with five years suspended Monday for the attempted rape of a Portsmouth woman.
Clarence Swinton was arrested after a July attack on a 36-year-old woman as she walked home on Court Street with a tray of coffee bought from a nearby store.
When Swinton grabbed her from behind, the woman screamed for help and began kicking him. Neighbors heard her cries for help and came out of their homes, according to police and witnesses.
Swinton tried to flee but was chased by a man who had just returned home from jogging. Another woman walking her dogs joined in the pursuit.
The jogger tackled Swinton in the 300 block of London Blvd. and the woman held her dogs on him until police arrived.
Swinton was on probation after having been convicted in 1994 of abducting a woman on her way to her birthday party.
KEYWORDS: ASSAULT SEX CRIME ARREST TRIAL
VERDICT by CNB