Teen Arrested After Attempting To Rape 91-Year-Old Woman In Her Sleep

An Australian teen broke into a 91-year-old woman's home last week and attempted to rape her in her sleep, police said.

The 16-year-old boy, who could not be identified, was charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass and assault with intent to rape over the incident that occurred just before midnight last Thursday at the elderly woman's Edwardstown, Adelaide home, Australian news outlet 7NEWS first reported.

The teen had allegedly forced himself on top of the woman as she slept, according to the outlet. He then fled and left behind a trail of blood after the woman had screamed for help.

"You don’t expect in a quiet community for someone who is elderly to have to go through that. It’s appalling," one local was quoted as saying by 7NEWS. "At 91, that’s going to be one of your remaining memories for life, so I hope something gets done about it."

Police were initially unable to find the teenager after he had run away, but detectives from the Special Crime Investigation Section arrested him in Adelaide’s southern suburbs Saturday.

The arrested teenager appeared before a Youth Court Monday, where the magistrate prevented key details of the case from being revealed after the boy's lawyer told court their disclosure would cause undue embarrassment to his family.

The boy had also requested to be released to live in a small country town, but the magistrate had turned it down as the charges were too serious, according to the report.

The elderly victim had appeared before court as well. She is now in the care of her family following the incident, which has reportedly left her terrified and living in fear of another attack.

Based on court documents, the teenager has a history of trespass offenses and breaching bail conditions.

The teenager will remain in custody until his next court appearance, which is scheduled in two weeks.