‘No child should endure this’
HEARTBROKEN PARENTS SPEAK OUT AFTER YOUNG BOY IS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED DURING BREAK-IN AT THEIR FAMILY HOME
POLICE investigating a sex attack against a young boy in Ickenham have arrested two men.
The disturbing incident involved an unknown man breaking into a family’s home in the Hillingdon suburb and sexually assaulting a young boy in the early hours of Saturday, November 23.
The attacker broke into the house at 12.20am and only left after the boy threatened to call the police.
While there were no signs of forced entry, police believe the predator used an insecure door to enter the property.
Although the victim’s younger sibling was also in the home during the attack, nobody else was disturbed.
The Metropolitan Police has conformed to MyLondon that two men have now been arrested in connection with the sex attack.
On December 28, a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of sexual touching of a child under the age of 13; he was taken into police custody before being bailed to return in midJanuary.
Another man, aged in his 20s, was also arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a child and burglary.
He was bailed until a date in late January, while police continue to investigate the shocking case.
The victim’s mother appealed to the public to help identify the man who attacked her son in December, saying: “We are frightened going to and from our house, we are frightened in our home, a home that we have built, loved and felt safe in for 15 years.
“No one should in this day and age face such fear when at home which should be a place of sanctuary.
“Since the incident on November 23 our son has been unable to feel secure and safe, he has been unable to sleep in his own room.
“It’s impacted on his schooling and his activities, he is quiet but trying to be so, so brave.
“What he endured is something no child of his age should and the memory of what happened may fade with support but will never leave him completely.
“The thought of him closing his eyes and picturing the man wanting to harm him breaks our heart. We have tried to carry on as normal but that fear is still there in the back of all our minds and it won’t go until this man is caught.
“For the sake of our family putting this to rest and for the safety of others, please help us in apprehending him.”
Speaking in December, detective sergeant David Baldwin, from the West Area Command Unit’s Safeguarding team, said: “This remains a well resourced investigation, and the boy and his family continue to receive specialist support.
“We are not confirming his exact age, or that of his sibling, in order to protect the victim’s identity.
“Whilst incidents such as this are thankfully very rare, I encourage people to ensure that their homes are kept secure at all times and to report anyone acting suspiciously and to remain vigilant.”