Predator breaks into elderly housebound woman's home and sexually assaults her

23 October 2023 , 21:53

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Anthony Shackleton has been jailed for the "despicable" crime (Image: LIVERPOOL ECHO)

A predator who broke into the home of an elderly woman unable to leave her bed and sexually assaulted her has been jailed.

Anthony Shackleton broke into the home on May 31, while the frail victim, aged in her 80s, was sleeping. She woke to find the 33-year-old standing over her bed. When she demanded to know who he was, Shackleton called her a “nosy b***h”, before sexually assaulting her. He then placed something in her mouth and a flannel over her face. Robert Dudley, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court Shackleton also slapped her in the face leaving a "red mark".

He stole the victim's purse and a sentimental bracelet, which was given to her by her son who died in tragic circumstances, Liverpool Echo reported. Shackleton’s DNA was found on a vape left at the home and on the woman’s purse. In a victim impact statement she said how she "does not want to see anyone" and is "scared to sleep". She added she still sees images of Shackleton.

Her daughter also provided a victim impact statement and described how her mum's life has been "shattered" following the incident. She said how her mum was rushed to hospital following the incident and doctors feared she would not survive the night due to being so frail. She added her mum was hospitalised on various occasions since the incident but thanks to her "tenacity" and "mental strength" has come through.

Chris Stables, defending, told the court the mitigating circumstances put forward was "in no way an attempt to justify what happened" and there was "scant mitigation to be found".

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He added: "No amount of punishment will be enough but the court is here to take an objective view of the offences." Mr Stables told the court Shackleton had a troubled childhood and suffered with substance and drug abuse. He said Shackleton had previous employment and added “He feels disgusted and embarrassed and regrets it bitterly."

Shackleton previously denied sexually assaulting his victim but later pleaded guilty to both burglary and sexual assault on a female. Judge Robert Trevor-Jones addressed Shackleton and said how the offence of burglary was "despicable enough", however the second offence of sexual assault was a "dark and deviant impulse which is difficult to believe".

He said Shackleton poses a "high risk of serious harm to the public". He sentenced Shackleton to five years and 10 months in prison with an added four years to be served on licence on his release. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders register indefinitely.

Antony Thrower