Man Who Raped Woman While She Was Moving Into Her Apartment Sentenced to 20 Years

The Cleveland Heights man who pleaded guilty to raping a woman while she was moving into her Hampshire Road apartment was sentenced to 20 years today.

Winston Scott, 27 (not a typo if you've been following, his birthday was Wednesday), of 932 Whitby Road, was  on charges that he raped a 24-year-old woman while she was moving into a building in Cleveland Heights.

Ryan Miday, spokesperson for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason’s Office, described what happened that day. 

The woman propped her door open while she was bringing her belongings into her apartment. She saw Scott hanging out by the building, but figured he was a resident.

As she was working, Scott slipped into the apartment and hid in a bedroom. When she was finished, he ran out, threatened her with a knife and sexually assaulted her. He then stole her cellphone and ID badge.

Neighbors heard her scream and knocked on her door. When no one answered, they called Cleveland Heights Police.

When they arrived, Scott ran out the back door, but police obtained a description and arrested him within minutes. A knife, the woman's ID and cellphone were found nearby.

Scott pleaded March 1. On June 1, to rape, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. 

His sentencing was at 11 a.m. today in Judge Stuart Friedman's courtroom, and he faced a maximum of 30 years in prison.