Demon-Fearing Attacker Pleads Guilty

A 19-year-old man pleaded guilty Monday to breaking into a San Clemente woman's home and attacking her in a that drew help from her 5-year-old son and a Marine neighbor.

Jonathan Ashton Aikin pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and sexual battery, according to court records. Felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse and endangerment and a misdemeanor count of being under the influence of a controlled substance were dismissed, according to court records.

Aikin was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday.

After the May 15 attack last year, the in Orange County sheriff's headquarters to discuss the assault.

``I was in bed with the kids next to me when this crazy guy came in and attacked me,'' the victim, who only wanted to be identified as Olive, told reporters.  ``He was yelling at me to shut the windows to keep the demons away. ... He was soaking wet from the rain. ... He was paranoid, confessing his love for me when I've never met him before. He squeezed my neck so hard I still can't swallow food.''

Aikin had ``incredible strength,'' the woman said.

The attack happened about 9:45 on a Sunday morning in the 300 block of Cazador Lane in San Clemente.

The woman's then-5-year-old son jumped on Aikin's back and flailed away at the intruder while Olive shouted for help, she said. Aikin pushed aside the boy, leaving him with a swollen left eye and cheek.

Olive's upstairs neighbors at the time, Jenna and Justin Gerou, ran down to her aid. Jenna took the kids to safety while , she said. Deputies had to subdue Aikin with a Taser.

-- City News Service