Woman, 73, attacked in her bed

Category: Sexual Offences

Monday, March 22, 2010
Police are hunting for the attacker after the woman told officers she woke to find a man rubbing her leg through an unlocked window about 5am.

The offender ran away after the woman woke up and called 000.

DNA swabs have been sent to Brisbane for analysis while a doorknock in the neighbourhood yielded no leads for
police.

Cairns police Sen-Sgt Dion Readman said the woman lives alone and was shaken after the ordeal.

"Police investigations surround allegations the offender touched the complainant while she slept," he said.

"If anyone has information regarding the incident we would urge them to call police or Crime Stoppers."

Sen-Sgt Readman said the incident highlighted the importance of locking windows and doors.

The woman could not say how old the attacker was, but told police he was Caucasian, bald, 170cm tall with a solid build and wearing grey board shorts and a green jumper.

Authorities said the woman turned down counselling or medical support after the
incident.

"She’s a healthy and switched on woman who has, unfortunately, been the victim of a crime," Sen-Sgt Readman said.

Neighbourhood Watch’s Thelma Spelta said attacks on the elderly were disgraceful.

"Elderly people help formed the society in Cairns in the earlier days and for them to be treated like this in retirement is a disgrace," she said.

Investigations were continuing