BRADFORD'S DANGEROUS SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR MURDER AND ASSAULT
In June 2008, Scott Sorby, who used to live in Bradford, was placed on the sex offenders' register for life after being sentenced to four and a half years for attempting to rape a 20-year-old student in Leeds.He had been convicted previously of attempted rape, and after serving his sentence, he was released on license.
Despite assessments indicating he was a threat due to violent and sexual behavior, Sorby was given release conditions that included a hostel stay and a curfew.
The following January, he left the hostel and committed numerous crimes, including burglaries, robberies, and an attack on 95-year-old Elizabetta Pecka at Rosewood Court care home.
He broke into the care home, sexually assaulted Mrs.
Pecka, and attacked her around 10 pm with facial injuries.
She later died in hospital two months afterwards.
In 2007, while at Castington young offenders' institution, Sorby caused damage valued at around £18,000, smashing windows and furniture with a steel bed-frame.
The court heard that Sorby’s attack on Mrs.
Pecka was motivated by spotting her alone during a routine burglary search.
A psychiatrist’s report labeled him as someone prone to violent and aggressive acts, and law enforcement officials described him as a dangerous sexual predator.
His defense argued that there was no malicious intent to harm but only an aim to burglarize.
Judge Peter Benson sentenced Sorby to life imprisonment, with a minimum term to be fixed later.
The case drew public and political attention, with Bradford MP David Ward describing Mrs.
Pecka’s assault as 'horrific' and emphasizing the importance of lessons learned to avoid future incidents.
Officials and care facilities acknowledged that while measures such as curfews and monitoring are in place, completely preventing all risks is very difficult, and some inherent danger remains.
