Hunt begins after woman, 85, assaulted at her home

Police are hunting for a sex attacker who assaulted an 85-year-old woman at her home on Christmas Eve.

Detectives have warned the elderly to be wary of opening their doors to strangers after the incident in Pitsea, Essex, which is believed to have been sexually motivated.

The woman, who was beaten and left traumatised by the attack, remains in hospital.

The victim - who owing to trauma suffered as a result of her ordeal has been unable to provide much information about the attack - has only been able to say that she was assaulted by a man who knocked on her door some time between 6.30pm on Christmas Eve and 9.30am on Christmas Day.

"The victim was badly beaten by her attacker," said a spokesman for Essex police.

"So far, she has only told us that she heard a knock on her door which she answered.

"A young man then entered the house and attacked her, causing cuts and bruising to her face and body," he added.

The spokesman said the woman's injuries were not life-threatening but confirmed that she would need continued hospital treatment. He said officers would speak to her over the course of the next few days in the hope of learning more information.

In the meantime, Superintendent Glenn Caton of Essex police said that locals in the area should be wary of answering the door to strangers.

He added: "We are using all of our resources to find and arrest the perpetrator of this extremely rare crime."