NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A man accused of breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a woman in Newport News will face sentencing in August.

Christopher Stuart entered an Alford Plea Wednesday for charges of entering a house to commit assault and battery, abduction by forced, sexual battery and assault. With this plea, Stuart acknowledged there is enough evidence to convict him, but did not admit guilt.

Newport News police said Stuart broke into a house on 29th Street in October 2017. At the time, a 19-year-old woman was asleep on the downstairs couch when she woke up and saw Stuart going through her backpack.

Court documents showed Stuart was accused of putting his hand over her mouth. 

“She was probably asleep or half asleep, and she wakes up to this stranger who starts to punch her in the face and assault her,” Police spokesman Lou Thurston told 10 On Your Side in November.

The woman told police Stuart then pulled down her pants and attempted to rape her — but she was able to break free and run upstairs.

Investigators were able to catch Stuart because of a cellphone he left behind at the scene.

Stuart’s sentencing was set for Aug. 17.