Locations
Queens Drive, Prenton, Wirral, Merseyside, CH43
Description
A woman in her eighties was sexually assaulted by a perverted burglar who broke into her home. The bedbound victim, woke to find Anthony Shakleton 'standing over her' with a hoodie over his head before he carried out the 'dark and deviant' act, a court heard.
Shakleton, 33, had broken into her home in Birkenhead, Wirral as she slept in the early hours of May 31 this year, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
The terrified woman asked who he was and told her to get out. Robert Dudley, prosecuting, said Shackleton shouted back at her that she was a "nosey b***h" and a "c***" before sexually assaulting her.
When Shackleton realised the victim wore an incontinence pad he called her "a baby", the Liverpool Echo reports. He also placed, what was described as being like a golf ball, in her mouth and a flannel over her face.
Mr Dudley told the court Shackleton also slapped her in the face leaving a "red mark".Shackleton stole the victim's purse and a sentimental bracelet, which was given to her by her son who died in tragic circumstances.
The 33-year-old was linked to the horrific crimes after DNA evidence was found on a disposable vape left at the property and on the woman's purse which was stolen.
The woman also provided a victim impact statement and it said how she "does not want to see anyone" and was "scared to sleep". She added how 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 how her mum was hospitalised on various occasions since the incident but thanks to her "tenacity" and "mental strength" has come through.
Mr Dudley read the statement on her behalf and in it, she addressed Shackleton directly. "You deserve to go to prison for a long time as you are clearly a danger," she said.
The court heard how Shackleton had four previous convictions in his adult life, including burglary and conspiracy to commit blackmail. 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".
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 he had a troubled childhood and suffered with substance and drug abuse. He said the "need to fund the addiction lead to the crimes" and was under the influence of drink and drugs at the time of the incident.
He said Shackleton had previous employment and did "possess employability skills". Mr Stables said: "He feels disgusted and embarrassed and regrets it bitterly."
Shackleton, of Queens Drive, Prenton, 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".