Darnall Sheffield: 'Dangerous predator' climbed through bedroom window and sexually assaulted girl, 12

This is the face of a 'dangerous predator' who climbed through a bedroom window at night and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in Sheffield.

Bohuslav Horvath is beginning a long stretch behind bars after using a ladder to climb through the upstairs window of a house in Darnall before creeping into the next bedroom, where the young girl was sleeping.

When the victim woke up and found Horvath assaulting her, he fled back to the other room and jumped out of the open window.

Girl initially thought she'd had a nightmare

The girl and her family initially thought she'd had an awful nightmare, but CSI work at the house later discovered Horvath's fingerprints on the bedroom windowsill.

PC Fiona Busfield, investigating, said: "This case is truly the stuff of nightmares and I would like to commend the young victim and her family for their bravery and dignity during this investigation.

"After Horvath fled, the girl went downstairs at around midnight to tell her mother, who was still up, what had happened. After searching the house and finding no sign of the offender, they concluded it must have been a terrible dream.

"However, when the young victim continued to show signs of distress the next day, a report was made to the police. On arrival, we found a ladder lying on the grass in the back garden and later confirmed this had been used to climb into the first floor of the house.

'Dangerous predator' arrested after fingerprints found

"Our SOCO (scenes of crime officer) carried out a number of enquiries and discovered two fingerprints, which we quickly matched to Horvath. He was promptly arrested.

"In interview, he admitted using the ladder to climb into the house but denied touching the young girl. We knew this was untrue and despite it being 'one word against another', the evidence on board ensured this dangerous predator had no choice but to plead guilty."

Horvath, aged 23, 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 last year.

He appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, January 26, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He has also been subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, a restraining order and will be on the sex offenders' register for life.

PC Busfield added: "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.

"As a force we do not tolerate any form of violence against women and girls, and will use all appropriate resources and powers to secure justice against offenders."