Man threatened victim with gardening tool and attempted to rape her in her Witham home
The man threatened a woman in her 70s with a gardening tool before she was thankfully able to escape
Brad GrayContent Editor
He was sentenced to 18 years behind bars
An 18-year-old man has been jailed for attempted rape and aggravated burglary in Witham, Essex.
On January 12 this year, he entered a woman's home on Conrad Road while she was in the garden.
When she returned inside, he threatened her with a gardening tool and violently attacked the woman, who is in her 70s.
Thankfully, she managed to escape and raise an alarm with help from a neighbour.
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The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to attempted rape and aggravated burglary at a pre-trial hearing on February 17.
Today (April 23), he was sentenced to nine years for each count, to run concurrently - totalling 18 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Julie Gowen said: "I would like to thank and praise the victim for the bravery and courage that she has shown throughout this investigation.
"I hope this sentence will provide her with some comfort.
"It was a horrific crime, where the victim's home was invaded, and she was subjected to a violent attack.
"No-one should have to go through this in their own home, which is the one place where you should feel safe."