Window cleaner caught trying to rape pensioner with Alzheimer's on camera

The 74-year-old's family were able to see James McArdle making repeated attempts to attack their mother on a camera installed in her home.

Window cleaner James McArdle caught attempting to rape 74-year-old Alzheimer’s sufferer on Ring camera iStock

A window cleaner who tried to rape an elderly customer was snared by a camera set up in her home by her family.

James McArdle preyed on the 74-year-old 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, Lanarkshire in January 2022.

The victim’s son later checked footage from a security camera fitted to keep tabs on his mum due to her frail condition.

He was left sickened after watching back the ordeal McArdle had put the OAP through.

McArdle was soon arrested, but claimed he had “having a laugh” with the woman.

He is now behind bars after he pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to the sexual assault and attempted rape of the pensioner.

Dad-of-three McArdle, also of Hamilton, will be sentenced in June.

The court 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 the OAP’s son.

The court heard the OAP used a combination of swatting McArdle’s hand with her slipper and using her other hand to push away his sexual advances when he visited her home to clean the windows at around 10am on January 4 last year.

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.

Ms Glancy said: “She repeatedly asked him to go away and stop these actions.”

McArdle eventually stopped before deciding to leave – taking a chocolate as he left.

The court heard around 10.45am, the victim’s son logged in to the camera app on his phone to “check on the welfare” of his mum.

Ms Glancy said: “At this time, he observed that McArdle had been in the house and he appeared to be making unwanted sexual advances towards his mother.

“He contacted his sister and informed her what was happening. She contacted police.”

The son immediately handed over his phone with the incriminating footage.

McArdle was traced that day and arrested.

He told police: “The old woman mentioned something about her leg.

“I thought we were having a laugh between each other. I do not want to say anything else.”

No further information was given how the woman was affected by ordeal.

Her daughter had submitted a victim impact statement on her behalf.

Louise Arrol KC, defending, did not ask for McArdle’s bail to be continued.

Lady Stacey told him: “You will be remanded in custody now as a prison sentence is inevitable for such a crime.”

Sentencing was deferred for reports.

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