By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 10:01 BST, 18 April 2025 | Updated: 10:06 BST, 18 April 2025

Police have arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in her own home.

The 83-year-old woman was walking back from the shops when she approached by an unknown man near Charles Mance Reserve in Merrylands in western Sydney about 12.30pm on Tuesday, NSW Police said.

The stranger is believed to have offered help in wheeling her shopping trolley before he allegedly forced entry inside her home and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Police arrested a 41-year-old man on Friday after a manhunt that included urgent pleas to the public to identify the alleged perpetrator.

Cumberland officers arrested the man at a unit complex on Harris Street, Fairfield, at about 12.15pm. Inquiries are ongoing.

The man has been taken to Fairfield Police Station where he is expected to be charged with sexual assault and related offences.

After the alleged incident, police said the stranger is believed to have cleaned the scene and stolen the woman’s keys before leaving.

The alarm was only raised five hours later after the woman told a neighbour about the incident. 

NSW Police have arrested a 41-year-old man (pictured) at a unit in Fairfield over the alleged sexual assault of an elderly woman in her own home

NSW Police have arrested a 41-year-old man (pictured) at a unit in Fairfield over the alleged sexual assault of an elderly woman in her own home

The woman (pictured) was on her way home from the shops when she was approached by a stranger who offered to help with her trolley

The woman (pictured) was on her way home from the shops when she was approached by a stranger who offered to help with her trolley

The 83-year-old was then taken to hospital for assessment. 

Police established a crime scene at the home, where officers believe the man left behind DNA evidence.

Detectives then released images of a man wheeling a shopping trolley on Wednesday who they believed could assist with their inquiries.

News of the incident has horrified locals.

‘I felt so sick on the stomach,’ one told Nine News on Wednesday.

Another said the act would be ‘disgusting’ even if she were younger, but ‘especially if she’s in her 80s, it’s even worse’.

The incident has been referred to the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad under Strike Force Bena.

Detectives believe it was an isolated incident.  

A man (pictured) has been taken to Fairfield Police Station where he is expected to be charged with sexual assault and related offences

A man (pictured) has been taken to Fairfield Police Station where he is expected to be charged with sexual assault and related offences

Police said inquiries are still ongoing in the investigation into the alleged incident

Police said inquiries are still ongoing in the investigation into the alleged incident

During a press conference on Wednesday, Detective Acting Superintendent Rachel Fawcett shared her horror at the alleged incident.

‘The man has approached her, he has gained her trust. 

‘Then he has broken that trust by breaking into her home and assaulting her. 

‘It is particularly appalling when the most vulnerable members of our community are preyed upon and in a place that should feel safe.’

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Man arrested for alleged sex attack on an 83-year-old woman after helping her home with her groceries

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