Market Drayton victim relives horror attack in her home
A Shropshire pensioner has spoken of her horror after a man let himself into her home and assaulted her.
Virginia and Gerald Morgan have been living in Elizabeth Court, Market Drayton for the past two years and said they had never experienced any problems.
That was until August 22, when Timothy Espley let himself in through the back door of Mr and Mrs Morgan's home.
He talked to them for a while before leaving, then came back and physically assaulted Mrs Morgan.
Mrs Morgan, 70, said: "The whole incident took about an hour. We had never met him before and he came through our garden and walked into the kitchen.
"He started talking about his grandad. I thought it was all very strange so rang the police straight away."
Espley, 23, who works at Muller Wiseman Dairies in Market Drayton, eventually walked out.
However a short while later he returned.
"He tried to push the front door open and I was trying to hold it shut – this bruised my knee," said Mrs Morgan.
"He then trod on my foot, grab my arm and put his hands around my neck. It was horrible.
"One of the worst things was he had an evil look on his face – it was like something out of a horror film.
"It was a very frightening experience.
"We now make sure all our doors are locked when we are at home and the chain is always on.
"It has made us very conscious about security and we do not feel as safe.
"We have installed an alarm as well."
Police later located Espley and he told them he had fallen out with his girlfriend and had been drinking.
He admitted being responsible for what had happened and said he was sorry. He pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
On Tuesday at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court Espley, of Smithfield Road, Market Drayton, was given a 12 month community order, as well as 200 hours of unpaid work – due to the "seriousness" of the offence.
He was also ordered to pay a £150 court charge, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
A restraining order was also placed on Espley so he does not contact the couple in future.
Mrs Morgan said the sentence was very lenient and was disappointed it was not a prison sentence.
She said: "The sentence seems nothing really. It was a very frightening experience. I think the sentence could have been harsher.
"The whole thing was very strange. It is something we will never forget."
