Mentally Ill Man Rapes 71-Year-Old Woman In England

A man appeared at court after officials identified him in a newly released CCTV photo in connection with the rape of a 71-year-old woman in Gloucester, England last week.

Authorities sought Brady Hickman, 32, after he allegedly broke into an elderly woman's home to do the alleged criminal activity in the early hours of Thursday, Nov. 11.

Police got a call when an elderly woman activated her Lifeline personal alarm in the early hours of Thursday last week in connection with Hickman's alleged crime.

Reports said the woman is considered vulnerable due to her mobility limitations.

They found CCTV footage in Stroud and Minchinhampton between 7:37 a.m. and 7:52 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, Nov. 14.

According to Gloucestershire Live, Hickman is described as being 5ft 8in tall, slender, with dark brown hair and tattoos on his right hand, and riding a blue mountain bike.

In another online tabloid's report, Detective Sergeant Faye Satchwell-Bennett described the woman's actions as "great bravery, strength, and courage."

She added in a Gloucestershire News Service report that: “Specially trained officers continue to support the victim, who has shown amazing bravery, strength and courage during this process."

“She wants to thank our officers and the community for the support she has received," Satchwell-Bennett said.

After being accused of raping an old woman in her home, Hickman appeared in Cheltenham Magistrates' Court, according to the BBC.

He was caught in Stroud yesterday morning, according to an online newspaper, and appeared through a video link wearing a grey top.

Jeremy Oliver, prosecuting, said in a Gloucestershire Punchline: "She had taken a sleeping tablet and she woke up to find a man standing in front of her, naked. He told her what he was intending to do. She told him she wouldn't struggle if he didn't hurt her. Hickman allegedly had sex with her and left DNA evidence behind."

Hickman has mental health concerns, according to Hickman's lawyer, Clare Buckley.

On Nov. 11, Hickman was informed that he was charged with rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration on the same day. He didn't make any apologies.

The rape charge may only be dealt with at Gloucester Crown Court. Therefore District Judge Nicholas Wattam committed (per an online tabloid report) on the matter for the first hearing on Dec. 17, 2021.

Hickman was remanded in detention until that date by the judge.