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Man jailed over 'horrific and wicked' attack

Lulu Johnston-KnightYorkshire
News imageSouth Yorkshire Police A headshot of a man wearing a grey t-shirt. He has blue eyes, a close-shaven head and a brown beard.South Yorkshire Police
Clarke was convicted after his fingerprints were discovered in the elderly woman's home

A man who burgled and sexually assaulted an elderly woman in her Doncaster home, robbing her of "her independence and her peace of mind", has been jailed.

Tyler Clarke, 25, of HMP Doncaster, pleaded guilty to burglary and sexual assault and was given an extended sentence of 18 years and 6 months at Sheffield Crown Court.

Clarke was identified and arrested following a report of a burglary at the home of 94-year-old Sheila Wood last December.

Forensic analysis of the house revealed Clarke's fingerprints on the furniture, which were subsequently matched with forensic samples taken from the elderly victim.

During the search, officers also found a hat similar to clothing worn by Clarke in CCTV footage recovered from around the time of the offence.

South Yorkshire Police raided an address in Balby, Doncaster and found Clarke hiding in a wardrobe.

He was arrested and taken into custody, before being charged with burglary and sexual assault, to which he pleaded guilty.

Sheila Wood passed away earlier this year, before Clarke was sentenced.

News imageSouth Yorkshire Police/Family handout A head-and-shoulders image of an elderly woman with grey hair smiling at the camera, peering over sunglasses. She is wearing a camel coloured coat over a navy top with a yellow collar and a cream jumper underneath. She wears a cross on a chain around her neck. South Yorkshire Police/Family handout
Sheila Wood's family said the attack left her too afraid to return home

Tributes from the 94-year-old's family described her as "the brightest beacon of light".

In a statement, her family said: "Tyler Clarke blew up our lives, destroyed our family's peace and set a terrifying domino-effect in motion that dimmed, and then permanently extinguished, Sheila's bright light.

"Her little bungalow was her safe haven and it was there that he not only physically attacked her, but attacked her in the worst, most depraved way imaginable.

"After the attack she could never go back home. She would never feel safe there again. He stole her home, her independence and her peace of mind."

Det Sgt Lee Robinson said: "This was a horrific and wicked attack on a vulnerable and elderly woman, whose life was sadly changed forever the night Clarke invaded her home and sexually assaulted her,

"Sheila's courage and openness meant we were able to understand the more sinister nature behind this break-in and ensured that we conducted a forensic-led investigation which swiftly led us to identifying Clarke as our suspect.

"There is no justifiable explanation for what he did and I am pleased we were able to secure justice on behalf of Sheila's family and in honour and memory of Sheila herself."

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