February 2022

‘Dangerous’ boy, 16, launched terrifying sex attack on 79-year-old victim inside her home

A boy of 16 launched a terrifying sex attack on a 79-year-old victim inside her own home.

Reece Wigglesworth — who received a caution as an 11-year-old for sexually assaulting a child — barged into an elderly woman’s home demanding money, before violating her.

The victim thought it was her son so unlocked the chain and the defendant barged in her home and asked if she had any money.

She said she did not and she could see him playing with his private parts. He pushed her against a worktop and violently sexually assaulted her.

As the terrified pensioner screamed, he hit her across the head and shouted “shut the f*** up”.

The “dangerous” defendant was arrested three days later after an appeal from local media.

He was identified by forensic evidence with his DNA found on the victim’s clothes and the door handle at a neighbouring property.

The horrifying incident happened seven months after Wigglesworth and an accomplice robbed a disabled woman of her car at knifepoint outside her home in Nottingham, East Mids.

He has now been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison.

Judge Glenn described the case as “appalling” and said: “You are a danger when at large in the community.

“Your offending is escalating in terms of gravity and frequency.

“On two separate occasions you have digitally penetrated vulnerable females.

“You carry knives. You abuse alcohol and drugs. The circumstances of the present offences alone indicate you are out of control.”

Prosecutor Neil Ahuja said the first offence involved the defendant and another committing a car-jacking at 12.50am on February 18.

Mr Ahuja said: “The second man produced a knife and the defendant took 50 pence from her purse.

“She felt petrified by the knife. They demanded her car keys and she handed them over. She felt the knife catch her hand.”

The stolen car was later spotted by cops and the robbers were arrested.

When Wigglesworth was released under investigation, he forced his way into the pensioner’s home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, at 7.30pm on October 9.

After demanding money he pushed the pensioner against a kitchen worktop and assaulted her.

The victim said she suffers flashbacks and feels unsafe in her own home.

The defendant was identified by forensic evidence with his DNA found on the victim’s clothes and the door handle at a neighbouring property.

Wigglesworth, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a knife in public, burglary and sexual assault.

Wigglesworth was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and was barred from a range of activities involving children and vulnerable adults.

The attacker would normally be given anonymity, as he is under the age of 18, but reporting restrictions were lifted after Judge Paul Glenn said transparency was appropriate and in the interests of justice.