Appeal for witnesses - burglary and assault in Cheriton

Kent Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses after a burglary and serious sexual assault at the home of a 75-year-old woman in Cheriton.

Officers are appealing for help from anyone who may have noticed someone acting suspiciously or who saw anything unusual in or around Weymouth Road at about 3pm on Friday 27 May. They would particularly like to talk to anyone who may have seen a young man acting suspiciously in the area.

A young man, believed to be between 16 and 18 years old, entered the woman's house from the back garden, demanded money, stole several hundred pounds from her handbag and seriously sexually assaulted her.

The man is believed to be white, 5'8" tall, slim, having a fresh and thin face, pale skin, clean-shaven, thin lips and small eyes. He is further described as having a boyish voice with a local or southern accent. He was wearing a long sleeved plain khaki top with no emblems and dark trousers. He had a black or dark navy woolly hat that was too big for him and had a high crown. The hat had a 4" turn-up and the man had pulled it down to the top of his eyebrows.

Detective Chief Inspector Barnes who is leading the investigation to find the attacker said: "This was a particularly shocking crime on a defenceless elderly woman and an horrendous experience for her.

"We are urging the public to come forward if they know someone who matches the description, if they saw anything unusual or suspicious or if they believe they have any other information that will help us catch this individual.

"While crimes of this nature are rare, we are doing everything we can to catch this man. A team of specialist detectives from our major crime department is working closely with officers from the South East Kent area. Patrols are being stepped up and we've set up a special incident room."

A special incident hotline has been set up and anyone with any information should call Kent Police on 01303 289600. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on freephone 0800 555111.