A man who chased down a woman who was returning from a night out in Nottingham and tried to suffocate her has been sentenced.

Nottinghamshire Police said Matthew Ward followed the woman as she walked alone up Lenton Road towards Nottingham Castle at about 01:15 BST on 13 February.

The woman ignored the 20-year-old's shouts which prompted him to hit her over the head, pin her down and attempt to suffocate her for 10 seconds before she managed to fight him off, the force said.

Ward, of Wilfred Drive, Darnall, Sheffield, was sentenced to 22 months in a young offender institution at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

'Coward's actions'

Police said the woman sustained multiple bruises during the attack and was helped by a passing motorist who stopped.

Officers were notified soon afterwards and arrested Ward in nearby Friar Lane.

He was charged with intentional suffocation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm which he pleaded guilty to in court.

Det Sgt Andrew Pym, from Nottinghamshire Police praised the victim's bravery.

"Her attacker's despicable actions were that of a coward, with Ward running after and hitting her from behind as she was walking home alone," he said.

"I can only imagine how scary this must've been for the victim."

Hundreds of runners in Coventry have been taking part in the city's annual half marathon and 10k race.

The city's mayor wished entrants good luck ahead of it starting at 09:00 BST with the 10k kicking off half and hour later.

Half-marathon winner Warwick University student Adam Hudson said he found it very warm but thanked organisers for putting on the event.

Kelly Edwards, from Coventry, who runs with Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club, was the first woman to finish and said the support around the course was amazing.

"I was rather nervous before the race because I have been out with injury," Ms Edwards said.

"But I thought I'd give a local race a go because it's my home half marathon.

"So I was surprised with how it went. My team mate took it out quite hard and I decided to go with her and then kind of regretted it but had to commit then and just tried to keep going."

She and her team mate finished third and others from the club also took part.

"All the support has been amazing and being local there was obviously quite a few people shouting my name and that kept me going."

Mr Hudson, from Sutton in south London, who had never competed in a half marathon before said he could not have got round the course without the support from the crowds.

"People of Coventry coming to support was amazing – don't think I could have got though without being cheered on," he said.

"Of course the other runners, they gave me a good run. It was a strong battle to half way and a strong uphill course in the first half and I just really tried to crank it to the top."

Although he felt out of his comfort zone he said he "thoroughly enjoyed it".

"I've got one more year at uni so I hope I will still be around next year to do it again," he added.

Nick Woolley won the 10k race and said it was "tough, hilly and a little bit warm".

Roisin Quinn was the female winner of the 10k race.

Mr Woolley also said he appreciated the support from the crowds.

He and his partner had recently had their third baby so he had been quite sleep deprived which made his finishing time of 33 minutes all the more rewarding, he said.

The event is organised by Jane Tomlinson's Run For All in partnership with Coventry City Council, and expected to generate thousands of pounds for charities.