KEY POINTS:
A man who carried out an prolong sex attack on an 88-year-old woman who caught him breaking into her home has been jailed for eight years.
George Paul Nicholls, 41, pleaded guilty in September to burglary, sexual violation, robbery and three charges of attempted sexual violation.
New Plymouth District Court was told yesterday that Nicholls had been jailed 61 times in a lifetime of crime, the Taranaki Daily News reported.
He broke into his victim's home on the afternoon of May 8 and when she disturbed him rummaging through her room, he subjected her to a violent sexual attack before stealing $80.
She received a bruised chest and ribs in the attack and spent six days in hospital.
Crown prosecutor Justin Marinovich said the violent attack had stained and tainted the house the woman had called home for 64 years.
"It has taken some time for her to feel comfortable to even walking back into the house," Mr Marinovich said.
- NZPA
