YORK, Pa. — A York man pleaded guilty this week to charges stemming from his attack on Special Olympics athlete and gold medalist Loretta Claiborne earlier this year.
Damon Cole, 20, turned himself into authorities in June after being charged with simple assault, criminal mischief, and harassment in the attack on Claiborne. He admitted to throwing a brick at the 70-year-old woman and shoving her while she was riding a bicycle on June 10.
Claiborne recovered from the attack in time to win a gold medal in women's singles tennis later that month at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
Following his guilty plea, Cole was sentenced to six months at York County Prison by York County Court of Common Pleas Judge Harry Ness, who then credited Cole for 180 days of time already served at the facility following his arrest, according to court records.
Cole is scheduled to be released on Sunday, court records show.
After her victory in Berlin, the City of York honored Claiborne by declaring July 7, 2023, as "Loretta Claiborne Day."
She also served as grand marshal of the York State Fair last summer.
Claiborne has been competing in the Special Olympics since 1970.