KEY POINTS:
A man is due to appear in New Plymouth District Court today charged over the sexual attack on an 88-year-old woman in her New Plymouth home earlier this week.
CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said the 40-year-old had been charged with burglary, attempted rape, unlawful sexual connection, assault with intent to rob and attempted sexual violation.
The woman, a widow, was sexually assaulted about 3pm on Thursday after a man broke into her home, The Daily News reports.
"It was a terrible crime, an absolutely tragic crime, but it is a fantastic result we were able to arrest someone so quickly," Mr Coward said.
The woman was devastated by the attack, which police believed lasted about 10 minutes.
Police had spent a lot of time with the woman yesterday.
"While she is terribly upset and emotionally and physically bruised, she's in good spirits."
The woman's son said his late father was a World War 2 veteran and his mother had lived in the house for about 60 years.
The family was shocked and concerned for their mother's safety.
"I think everyone is concerned today, whether you are young or old. Even a guy at home on his own is vulnerable, let alone older people," the woman's son said.
- NZPA
