"Tyler Clarke blew up our lives": Burglar who sexually assaulted 94-year-old woman in her own home jailed
A Doncaster burglar who sexually assaulted a vulnerable and elderly woman in her own home has been jailed after incriminating forensic evidence led to his capture and conviction.
Tyler Clarke, 25, was identified as the perpetrator and arrested following a report of a burglary at the home of Sheila Wood, 94, in December last year.
Extensive forensic analysis of Sheila's home uncovered fingerprints on numerous items, including a chest of drawers and a photo frame.
These provided a match to Clarke, with forensic samples taken from Sheila also matching Clarke.
Enquiries to locate Clarke led officers to raid an address in the Balby area of Doncaster where he was found hiding in a wardrobe.
A search of that property also saw officers retrieve a hat which matched clothing worn by Clarke on CCTV recovered from around the time of the offence.
Clarke was arrested and taken into custody before being charged with burglary and sexual assault.
On Monday August 3, Clarke, of HMP Doncaster, was given an extended sentence of 18-and-a-half years, with 13-and-a-half of those to be served in prison and the remainder on licence.
Sheila passed away earlier this year before Clarke was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court.
Sheila's family paid tribute to her as "the brightest beacon of light" - a woman of "vivacious spirit" whose life sadly spiralled after encountering Clarke in her bungalow.
In a statement they said: "Tyler Clarke blew up our lives, destroyed our family's peace and set a terrifying domino effect in motion that dimmed and then permanently extinguished Sheila's bright light.
"Her little bungalow was her safe haven and it was there that he not only physically attacked her, but attacked her in the worst, most depraved way imaginable.
"After the attack she could never go back home. She would never feel safe there again. He stole her home, her independence and her peace of mind.
"As a family, we are carrying a horror and a grief that nobody should ever have to think about when they close their eyes at night. This act has terrified us all and will leave a forever-lasting impact on so many people."
Detective Sergeant Lee Robinson said that forensics proved pivotal in identifying Clarke as the suspect, with crime scene investigator teams combing the property for evidence to ensure that Sheila's attacker could be brought into custody.
"This was a horrific and wicked attack on a vulnerable and elderly woman whose life was sadly changed forever the night Clarke invaded her home and sexually assaulted her," DS Robinson said.
"Sheila's courage and openness meant we were able to understand the more sinister nature behind this break-in and ensured that we conducted a forensic-led investigation which swiftly led us to identifying Clarke as our suspect.
"There is no justifiable explanation for what he did and I am pleased we were able to secure justice on behalf of Sheila's family and in honour and memory of Sheila herself."