Hove man jailed for horrific attack on 83-year-old woman

A Hove man has been jailed for viciously attacking an 83-year-old woman in her home.

James Walmsley, 23, of Poynings Drive, Hangleton, was given an indeterminate sentence at Hove Crown Court for attempted robbery.

He was told that he must serve at least five years before he can be considered for release.

He was also jailed for six years for burglary in a sentence to be served at the same time rather than added together.

Walmsley admitted the burglary and attempted robbery at a previous court hearing on Friday 26 November.

Sussex Police said that Walmsley broke in to the woman’s home in North Road in Three Bridges, Crawley, while she was sleeping shortly after 7am on Saturday 4 September.

He attacked her viciously and tried to throttle her, the police said, and hit her in the face and about the body, leaving her with cuts to her face, neck and hands.

Detective Inspector Sarah Barrett described it as a horrific attack and said: “He entered the home of his victim while she was sleeping and viciously assaulted her while demanding she handed over car keys, which the victim said she did not have.

“Throughout the investigation the victim has been incredibly brave and I hope that seeing Walmsley sentenced today will provide her with some sort of closure to the terrifying incident.”