Bohuslav Horvath, 23, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for a horrifying assault on a 12-year-old girl in Darnall, Sheffield. The incident unfolded late at night when Horvath, deemed a dangerous predator by authorities, climbed through a bedroom window using a ladder.

The assailant crept into the next bedroom, where the young girl was sleeping and sexually assaulted her. Startled, the victim woke up to find Horvath in the act. In a disturbing turn of events, he fled back to the other room and escaped through an open window. The victim and her family initially believed it was a terrible nightmare until crime scene investigators discovered Horvath’s fingerprints on the bedroom windowsill.

PC Fiona Busfield, the lead investigator, commended the bravery and dignity of the young victim and her family during the investigation. “This case is truly the stuff of nightmares,” she said, acknowledging the emotional toll it took on the victim. The girl, upon discovering the assault, reported the incident to her mother, who initially thought it was a dream.

However, as the young victim continued to display signs of distress the following day, the family reported the incident to the police. The subsequent investigation revealed a ladder in the backyard, confirming it was used to access the first floor of the house.

Horvath, of Basford Street, Sheffield, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by touching and burglary in relation to the attack on May 15 of the previous year. During the trial at Sheffield Crown Court on January 26, he was sentenced to ten years in prison. Additionally, Horvath has been subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order, and will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

PC Busfield expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am pleased Horvath will be behind bars for many years to come and hope this helps to provide some closure to the young victim and her family.” She stressed the commitment of law enforcement to combat violence against women and girls, employing all appropriate resources and powers to secure justice against offenders.