His victim may never be able to walk again.

Although a Lorain County man could have received 72 years behind bars, Monday afternoon 26-year-old Matthew Plas was sentenced to 33 years in prison for attacking a woman in a local Metropark.

"It's like a nightmare you never wake up from," said Shawn Stevens.

In May 2008, 45-year-old Shawn Stevens of Elyria was walking in the Carlisle Reservation in Lagrange when she was savagely attacked and beaten.

"I went to the park that day. If I would have went to the right, he would not have had a chance, but I went to the left," said Stevens.

Plas later admitted to shooting her in the back, beating her with a tree branch, sexually assaulting her and then stuffing her in the trunk of his car.

"He pulled up next to the river and it was his intention to pull me out and throw me in that river, but I was fighting him tooth and nail," said Stevens.

In September 2009, the Wellington man pled guilty to a number of charges including attempted rape, kindapping and attempted murder.

During Monday's sentencing, Plas apologized to Stevens and her family.

"I would never in a million years expect you to accept my apology, but I do pray you will find it in your heart to forgive me. I know you think I'm some kind of hate-filled monster but I'm not," said Plas.

During his 33 year prison sentence, Plas will not be eligible for parole.

Stevens is paralyzed from the waist down and does not know if she will be able to walk again.

"If there is a way for me to walk again, I seriously plan on doing it," said Stevens.