STEVEN EDWARDS

Serial burglar Steven Edwards, residing on Sixth Street in Horden, was thwarted in his attempt by the courageous resistance of his victim, who managed to fend him off before he left her flat with her phone and money.

During the hearing at Durham Crown Court, it was revealed that the distressed woman escaped to her mother’s home, where she told her step-father, “Some guy appeared in my flat and tried to rape me.” As Edwards begins serving his prison sentence, his victim has received praise for her bravery, which contributed to his conviction.

The court was informed that Edwards was on a probation license from prison and had relapsed into drug use shortly before Christmas.

He had reached out to the woman via Facebook, making inappropriate sexual comments and approaching her unsolicited, which she rejected.

Knowing her residence, Edwards entered her flat block on Monday, January 18.

She was in her bedroom at the time when she heard the door, initially believing it to be a relative.

Prosecutor Jo Kidd stated that she was shocked when a man, wearing a mask and cap and carrying a chisel, entered her flat.

Fearing for her safety as he attempted to choke her, she was told he would release her if she performed a sex act; he then fled to the bathroom while he engaged in a sex act on himself.

While at large, Edwards committed two burglaries at student residences in Durham and used a contactless bank card 22 times for purchases.

He pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated burglary, attempted rape, two burglaries, and fraud related to the bank card.

He will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and required to register as a sex offender until further notice.

Defense attorney Christine Egerton stated that a psychiatric report indicated Edwards was “institutionalised” during his time in prison and felt “ashamed” of his conduct.

She argued that although he had committed theft and burglary, he did not see himself as a sex offender.

Judge Ray Singh described the main offence as “heinous,” noting Edwards’s persistent efforts to assault the woman and calling his actions particularly serious.