A murderer who sexually assaulted and killed an 89-year-old woman in her home is jailed for life.

Reece Dempster, 23, from Tottenham, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 34 years today (February 6) at the Old Bailey after he burgled a house and killed an old woman.

Dempster made his way into widow Dorothy Woolmer’s home in Tottenham while she was asleep between August 3 and 4, 2019.

He was said to have been drinking gin and smoking crack before he broke into the home and sexually assualted her with a baton.

Mrs Woolmer, who had bone condition osteoporosis, was battered around the head and body.

Dempster then fled with two stolen bottles of alcohol and Mrs Woolmer's purse.

Hours later, he confessed his involvement and told a witness: “I only got a hundred quid – it wasn’t even worth it.”

Mrs Woolmer was left with catastrophic injuries including multiple fractures and head injuries.

Her friend and sister found her dead the following morning as they came to drop over some groceries and check up on her.

He was arrested in Tottenham on August 5 at 6.05pm.

Dempster was sentenced for burglary, murder and two counts of sexual assault by penetration.

He admitted to burglary at an earlier hearing and pleaded guilty to the other counts three days into his trial.

Tottenham Independent: Dorothy Woolmer was killed after a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. (Photo: Met Police / PA)Dorothy Woolmer was killed after a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. (Photo: Met Police / PA)

The Judge, Mr Justice Edis, appeared emotional as he praised Mrs Woolmer's family for their dignity in sitting through the proceedings.

He said: "I have no doubt your behaviour was influenced by your consumption of drink and crack cocaine, but that does not excuse what you did.

"Actually, it makes it worse.

"She (Mrs Woolmer) was tiny and defenceless and you knew that.

"Because of you, she died an unimaginably dreadful death.

"You seemed to have killed her for pleasure in your drunken state, the murder involved sexual or sadistic conduct.

"You are a very dangerous man."

Kristen Katsouris, from the CPS, said: “This was a brutal attack on a vulnerable and innocent elderly lady in her own home where she should have been safe.

“Reece Dempster let himself into Dorothy Woolmer’s home and carried out heinous crimes against her.

“He claimed to not remember what happened and to have ‘blacked out’ due to excessive alcohol and drug consumption, but the overwhelming prosecution evidence against him meant that he admitted the truth that his vile actions were deliberate and planned.

“This was an incredibly difficult and heart-breaking case, and nothing can bring Mrs Woolmer back. Our thoughts remain with her family and friends.”

In a statement, Dorothy’s family said: “Dot was a wonderful, full of life, beautiful woman. She was a sister, wife, aunty and dear friend to many. She was independent and was so full of life.

"Family was everything to her and she was everything to us.

"The events surrounding Dot’s death have brought extreme amounts of heartache and stress to our entire family. She was taken from us in such a cruel way.

“We are thankful for all of the support we have received thus far and we are finally able to start grieving for the loss of such a wonderful human being.

"There isn’t a member of the family that hasn’t been severely affected by what’s happened to Dot, even though we can’t bring her back, the only thing for the family now would be a severe sentence for this man in order to prevent him from being able to do this to another family.

“We ask that you respect this difficult time for us and allow us to grieve as a family, together.”