A Lanarkshire window cleaner snared by his elderly victim’s family after he tried to rape her has been jailed for four and a half years.
James McArdle preyed on the woman who tried to fend him off despite being affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
The 64-year-old then scoffed a sweet before fleeing the scene of the crime in Hamilton in January 2022.
A family member of the victim later checked footage from a security camera fitted to keep tabs on the woman due to her frail condition.
He was left sickened after watching back the ordeal McArdle had put the OAP through.
Dad-of-three McArdle was soon arrested, but claimed he had been “having a laugh” with the woman.
He was sentenced by judge Lady Stacey at the High Court in Glasgow.
McArdle, also of Hamilton, had pled guilty in April to the sexual assault and attempted rape of the pensioner.
The court previously heard how the victim lived alone, but had regular carers.
McArdle had been her window cleaner for around 20 years.
Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy KC told how the attack was “caught in its entirety” by an internal Ring security camera installed by f amily member of the OAP.
Around 10am on January 4 last year, McArdle attended at her home to do his fortnightly clean.
The pair initially chatted about the recent festive period - McArdle then asked if the victim’s carers were due that day.
He told her: “You are some woman - here, did you miss me?”
As the woman complained about her slippers being wet from standing outside, McArdle started molesting the pensioner.
She lashed out at him, but he continued to “pull and prod” at her.
McArdle stated: “You are some lass, so you are.”
While the victim then watched television, the pervert moved in again.
Miss Glancy continued: “She used a combination of swatting McArdle’s hand with her slipper and using her other hand to push away his sexual advances.
“It is very clear she does not want to engage with McArdle.”
Sleazy McArdle was undeterred - he started rubbing her back, touched her inappropriately, cuddled and kissed her.
He said: “That is why I f*****g fancy you.”
As he carried on, the woman again hit him with her slipper.
The OAP called him “disgusting” adding: “Behave yourself, for God’s sake.”
But, the hearing was told McArdle went on to attempt to rape the woman.
McArdle eventually stopped before deciding to leave - taking a chocolate as he left.
The court heard around 10.45am, a family member of the victim logged in to the camera app on a phone to “check on the welfare” of the OAP.
Miss Glancy added: “At this time, he observed that McArdle had been in the house and he appeared to be making unwanted sexual advances."
Another family member was contacted and informed what was happening and the police were contacted.
The family member immediately handed over his phone with the incriminating footage. McArdle was traced that day and arrested.
He was also put on the sex offenders' list for an indefinite period.
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