Burglar who sexually assaulted and murdered widow, 89, in her own home then told his girlfriend ‘I only got a hundred quid’ is jailed for 34 years
- Reece Dempster attacked Dorothy Woolmer in her home in August last year
- The 23-year-old had been on the hunt for money to feed his drug habit
- Police described at attack on Mrs Woolmer as ‘one of the most disturbing’ ever
Burglar Reece Dempster, 23, who sexually assaulted and murdered an 89-year-old widow in her own home in Tottenham, has today been jailed at the Old Bailey for life with a minimum term of 34 years.
Dempster’s brutal attack on ‘independent’ Dorothy Woolmer was described by police as ‘one of the most disturbing’ officers had ever encountered, with the 6ft 3in intruder inflicting multiple injuries on Mrs Woolmer’s tiny frame.
The Old Bailey yesterday heard that Dempster old his girlfriend ‘I only got a hundred quid – it wasn’t even worth it’ after the brutal murder.
Mrs Woolmer was attacked in Tottenham, north London, in August last year, while Dempster was on the hunt for money to feed his drug habit.
The half-naked body of Dorothy Woolmer (pictured) was found in a white bedsheet by her sister and best friend on the morning of 4 August last year. Pictured, right, Reece Dempster
Forensic officers are pictured lined up on the road outside the property in Tottenham after the murder
Dempster admitted one count of murder and two of sexual assault by penetration and was today sentenced to 34 years in prison.
The court heard Mrs Woolmer, described by her family as ‘feisty’ and ‘independent’ but who was just 4ft 11in tall and had osteoporosis, suffered severe injuries to her head and groin area after being attacked by Dempster at her home in Waltheof Gardens overnight between August 3 and 4 last year.
Dempster spent around seven hours in Mrs Woolmer’s home after breaking in through a back door under cover of relative darkness, arming himself with a truncheon he found in the elderly victim’s downstairs cupboard while looking for cash.
Mrs Woolmer’s lifeless and bloodied body was found, semi-naked, in her bed by her sister and a close friend who were concerned when the pensioner failed to answer the door for her morning newspaper.
Dempster (pictured above) had returned to his father’s home after the attack in order to change his clothes
Outlining the case on Monday at the start of what was intended to be a three-week trial, prosecutor Anthony Orchard QC told jurors how Dempster had carried out some gardening work for the victim the previous month and returned to burgle it.
‘He had ‘cased the premises’,’ Mr Orchard said. ‘He knew a vulnerable elderly lady lived there. CCTV evidence that evening indicates he may have been drinking but he clearly knew what he was doing.’
Dempster, who is 6ft 3ins, fled the scene the following morning, just before 6am, and went to his father’s house nearby, vomiting several times on the way.
He then left the property with his father, nine minutes later, wearing a change of clothes, the court heard.
The court yesterday heard Dempster’s demeanour changed as police began to suspect his involvement, with DNA evidence linking him to the case.
Mr Orchard told jurors: ‘He went there for money and came back with it. He knew exactly what he was doing.
‘Tragically Dorothy Woolmer was killed due to Reece Dempster’s need to feed his lust for drugs and alcohol.’