Pervert burglar who attempted to rape Brighouse pensioner faces jail

Nigel Carroll’s sexual interest in tights helped to link him to the shocking attack a year ago and also resulted in the 53-year-old Leeds man being convicted of two other house burglaries in Birkenshaw and Leeds.

Carroll, of Wykebeck Avenue, Osmondthorpe, Leeds, had already admitted that he burgled the pensioner’s home because he needed money, but he maintained that someone else had carried out the sex attack on her.

The complainant died a few months after her ordeal following an unrelated fall, but her video recorded interview with police officers, which took place within hours of the attack, was played to the jury at Bradford Crown Court during Carroll’s trial.

During the early evening attack Carroll pulled down the woman’s jeans, tights and knickers before trying to have sex with her.

He also pushed his hand under her bra and the jury heard detailed evidence from forensic scientists about DNA evidence found on the victim’s clothing.

The police inquiry also involved mobile phone analysis which helped to track Carroll’s movements at the time of the offences and after the jury returned their guilty verdicts the Recorder of Bradford Judge Roger Thomas QC said there had been first class police work across the board.

Carroll, who has a variety of previous convictions, showed no reaction as the guilty verdicts were announced.

He will not be sentenced until December 9 after Judge Thomas said he wanted the probation service to compile a report which included an assessment of the risk posed by Carroll.

When Carroll was arrested last December officers found various stolen property, including ladies tights, at his home and his mobile phone contained secretly filmed footage of female legs taken on a bus and in a waiting room.

Adjourning Carroll’s case Judge Thomas asked for written arguments to be provided by prosecution and defence counsel in relation to the appropriate sentence.

He said the offence was “as serious as one sees of its type” and he was minded to pass a sentence which would achieve as much public protection as possible.

Carroll, who was remanded back into custody, will also been ordered to register as a sex offender for life when his sentence is imposed next month.