A WIDOW who was sexually assaulted as she slept has spoken for the first time about her terrifying ordeal.

The 66-year-old from Newsome has revealed how she was attacked in her own bed just two days after her husband died.

"I was still getting over my husband’s death," she said.

"For this to happen two days after made it so much worse.

"I’m getting over it slowly, but it’s still there at the back of my mind – I think it always will be."

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was in bed on the morning of Thursday, September 23, when an intruder is thought to have got in through an open bathroom window.

"It was a warm night and I’d left the window open just to let some air in," she said. "I can see now that was a mistake.

"I woke up and he was on top of me.

"It was terrifying. I said, ‘what the hell do you think you’re doing,’ but he carried on."

The attacker, who she described as Asian, in his 20s or 30s and possibly wearing a grey top and jeans, said nothing throughout the attack which lasted several minutes.

He then fled through a living room window.

It is thought he stole £50 from the woman’s purse before escaping.

The woman, who was initially being cared for by specially trained police officers, is now being looked after in temporary accommodation elsewhere in Huddersfield while she applies for a sheltered housing place.

Speaking at the flat where the incident happened in the company of a friend who helps to look after her, she said: "I don’t want to come back here after what happened.

"I just feel awful."

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiry team (HMET) initially arrested two men in Berry Brow in connection with the incident, but later released them without charge.

The mattress from the woman’s bed was removed for forensic examination.

An e-fit image of the attacker has been released and police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

The woman said: "He needs to be caught, because he could do this to someone else.

"I keep thinking, what if he comes back?"

The case is being investigated by detectives from West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiry team.

Contact the Bradford incident room on 01274 376100.