Hideous Rape Of 75-Year-Old Woman

A 75-year-old woman was raped in her own home. 

It happened at the woman's home on Unsworth Way in Oldham at about 6pm on 7 January 2012. 

The offender is described as white, between 25 and 35-years-old, between 5ft 7in and 6ft tall and of a medium build. He was clean shaven with short hair, and appeared to speak with a local accent. 

The offender entered the communal block of flats where the woman lives and pressed her buzzer. She went downstairs to see who it was and was confronted by the man, who said he needed to go to her flat to see if any work needed doing. 

The woman refused to let him in but the offender was persistent and managed to get through the door and followed the pensioner back upstairs to her flat. 

After checking every room in the flat, the offender then told the 75-year-old woman to go into her bedroom. She initially refused fearing she would be attacked, but was then raped by the offender. 

He then fled from the flat. 

The woman reported the attack to a family member the following day and police were then called. 

Police are also investigating whether the same man was responsible for trying to gain entry to another woman's flat on Grisebeck Way at about 6.30pm on 7 January 2012, but was refused. 

The offender is described as white, between 25 and 35-years-old, between 5ft 7in and 6ft tall and of a medium build. He was clean shaven with short hair, and appeared to speak with a local accent. 

Detective Inspector Danny Inglis, from the Oldham Volume Crime Team, said: "First I want to try and reassure members of this community who will undoubtedly be anxious following this senseless and appalling attack on a vulnerable woman. 

"Specially trained officers are giving the woman as much support as she needs following this attack. 

"The reason we have publicised this rape is to alert residents to what happened so they can take every available precaution and to help us catch this offender. Make no mistake, the man we are looking for is a coward. To rape a 75-year-old woman in her own home is truly despicable and we need to catch this man and lock him away for a very long time. 

"I would appeal to anyone who recognises the man fitting this description to come forward. If you see him hanging around or he tries to gain access to your flat, please do not let him in under any circumstances and call police immediately. 

"I want residents to be particularly vigilant at this time and not let any strangers into their homes. I would also ask that residents look out for their neighbours, particularly elderly ones, and if you see someone hanging around their property or trying to take advantage, then again please call us straight away. 

"Officers from Oldham CID will examine every possible piece of evidence to try and catch this man so if you do have information please do call us. I want to assure people we have increased the number of patrols in this area both to provide visible reassurance and so if anyone does have information then can approach an officer. 

"We need to catch his man and ensure he does commit such an awful, atrocious attack on anyone else and we will leave no stone unturned to do so."