Sex attacker jailed for assaulting Brighton pensioner

A sex attacker has been jailed indefinitely for breaking into a Brighton woman’s bedroom and assaulting her.

Napindi Palu, 30, was jailed for four years and a day at Lewes Crown Court today (Monday 5 September).

Sussex Police said that this was the term that he must serve before he can be considered for release.

Even then, he must be assessed as posing no risk to the pubic before he can be freed.

The force said that indeterminate sentences are given to offenders who are deemed to be dangerous and pose a high risk to the public.

The 65-year-old woman who lived in the flat woke to find Palu going through her handbag in her bedroom.

He sexually assaulted her before she managed to escape and ran out of her flat to raise the alarm.

Police arrested Palu at his home in Thurtle Road in Bethnal Green, London, two days later and he was charged with the offences the next day and remanded in custody.

He admitted two charges of sexual assault and one of attempted burglary at a hearing on Friday 17 June.

The court was told that his 65-year-old victim had been left permanently affected by her ordeal.

She has problems sleeping at night because she is terrified someone will break into her home again.

After the case, Detective Chief Inspector Jez Graves, who led the investigation, said: “This was a dreadful but thankfully rare crime.

“The victim suffered a traumatic experience and showed great presence of mind and immense courage in escaping and raising the alarm.

“Officers and staff from Sussex Police Major Crime Branch and Brighton and Hove division responded and Palu was identified, located and arrested two days after the offence.

“The term of imprisonment he received today not only removes him from society where he can no longer pose a risk but will also hopefully help the victim as she tries to move forward with her life.”