Port Royal man sentenced to 20 years for home invasion, attempted rape

A Port Royal man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for the home invasion and attempted rape of his downstairs neighbor.

After a two-day trail, jurors convicted Frederick Mcleod, 37, of first-degree burglary and first-degree assault with the intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, according to a news release from the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office.

On Aug. 16, Mcleod approached his 29-year-old neighbor as she returned home. He was intoxicated, according to the release.

The woman brushed him off and entered her apartment. A few minutes later, she heard a knock at the door. When she cracked the door open, Mcleod burst through. He pushed her down on the bed and groped and kissed her.

The woman told him to stop and was eventually able to break free. Mcleod lost his balance and fell into a wall. He threatened her, saying he would wait for her to return from work.

He was arrested a short time later in his apartment and has remained at the Beaufort County jail since.

Judge Brooks Goldsmith handed down the sentence. By law, Mcleod must serve at least 85 percent of it before he would be elgible for any sort of early release.

This story was originally published May 21, 2013 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Port Royal man sentenced to 20 years for home invasion, attempted rape."