A sex offender who crept into elderly people’s homes during a series of disturbing incidents was caught after a determined investigation and help from the public.
Tyler Reilly broke into one elderly woman’s home while she was in the shower and attempted to get through a bedroom window while another woman was getting changed.
The 32-year-old also sneaked into a flat at a housing complex and told the elderly occupant ‘not to scream’.
Detectives investigated the series of incidents, which all took place in West Bridgford, and analysed hours of CCTV footage.
An image of a suspect was released to the public, and this helped identify Reilly as the offender.
He was arrested by neighbourhood officers who found him living in a tent in Wilford Road.
Reilly, of no fixed abode, went on to plead guilty to two counts of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence, burglary, and failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders’ Register.
At Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (26 February), he was handed an extended jail sentence of 14 years.
Detective Sergeant Ben Skellern, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“The victims in this series of incidents were alarmed to come face-to-face with an intruder inside their homes or on their property.
“They must have felt horrified that their safe space had been violated in this way by Reilly.
“We believe our investigation, with the help of the public who identified him, may have prevented further and more serious offences being committed.
“During the investigation, it became clear this series of incidents was linked and we were looking at one offender who needed to be identified quickly and arrested.
“We are very grateful to the members of the public who came forward to help our appeal.”
Inspector Tim Cuthbert, local area commander for Rushcliffe, said:
“These incidents caused concern in the West Bridgford community, and we know a number of Reilly’s victims were vulnerable people who lived alone or in assisted accommodation.
“Neighbourhood teams carried out additional patrols in the areas affected as the investigation took place, and I hope these provided some comfort.
“I also hope our robust investigation and the outcome in court reassures both the victims and the wider community about how seriously we treat offences of this nature.”
