OAP killer was under control of private probation service
Vile thug was out on licence with electronic tag
Widow Dorothy Woolmer
A BURGLAR who battered an 89-year-old widow to death in her home was being monitored by a private probation company.
Reece Dempster, 23, moaned he “only” made off with £100 after subjecting frail Dorothy Woolmer to a seven-hour sex ordeal and murdering her.
At the time Dempster was on licence for burglary having been handed an eight-month suspended sentence and made to wear an electronic tag.
A review has been carried out into how he was being tracked by private probation firm MTC Novo.
The case raises more questions for the Probation Service after a string of shocking recent cases.
Dempster, who has convictions dating back to 2015, knew Dorothy lived alone after the death of her husband Ken, a former Royal Navy engineer.
Dempster forced open the back door and hunted for money before attacking the widow in bed in August.
She died of multiple head injuries. On the third day of his trial at the Old Bailey,
Dempster admitted murder and two counts of sexual assault.
Anthony Orchard, prosecuting, told the court: “He battered her about the head numerous times, probably because he wanted to know where the money was, before sexually assaulting her.”
CCTV footage shows Dempster leaving the home in Tottenham, North London, with booze he stole from Dorothy. He will be sentenced today.
MTC Novo said: “This offender was on a 12-month community order and at the time of this tragic murder he was in breach of his community order. We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the victim.”
Serial rapist Joseph McCann, 34, of Harrow, North West London, embarked on a spree of sex attacks last year after being released in error.
Usman Khan, 28, was being monitored when he murdered two people in November near London Bridge.
Last month Aaron Fyle, 29, of Croydon, was jailed for life for murdering retired midwife Eulin Hastings. Fyle was also under the management of MTC Novo.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA Dempster, inset right, leaves Dorothy’s house with stolen booze