A Lanarkshire window cleaner who tried to rape an elderly customer was snared by a camera set up in her home by her family.
James McArdle preyed on the woman, who tried to fend him off despite being affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
The 64-year-old then scoffed a sweet before fleeing the scene of the crime in Hamilton.
A family member later checked footage from a security camera fitted to keep tabs on the pensioner due to her frail condition.
He was left sickened after watching back the ordeal McArdle had put the OAP through.
McArdle was soon arrested, but claimed he had been “having a laugh” with the woman.
He is now behind bars after he pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to the sexual assault and attempted rape of the pensioner.
Dad-of-three McArdle, also of Hamilton, will be sentenced in June.
The court heard how the victim had regular carers.
McArdle had been her window cleaner for a number of years.
Prosecutor Lorraine Glancy KC told how the attack was “caught in its entirety” by an internal Ring security camera.
Around 10am on January 4 last year, McArdle attended at her home to do his fortnightly clean.
The pair initially chatted about the recent festive period - McArdle then asked if the victim’s carers were due that day.
He told her: “You are some woman - here, did you miss me?”
As the woman complained about her slippers being wet from standing outside, McArdle started molesting the pensioner.
She lashed out at him, but he continued to “pull and prod” at her.
While the victim then watched television, the pervert moved in again.
Miss Glancy: “She used a combination of swatting McArdle’s hand with her slipper and using her other hand to push away his sexual advances.
“It is very clear she does not want to engage with McArdle.”
Sleazy McArdle was undeterred - he started rubbing her back, touched her inappropriately, cuddled and kissed her.
As he carried on, the woman again hit him with her slipper.
The prosecutor said: “Her tone changed in that she does not want to do what he is asking her to do. He continues to be persuasive.
“She maintains her no engagement as she hits him three times consecutively with her slipper sternly saying: ‘no, no, no’.
“He is unfazed by her rejection.”
The OAP called him “disgusting” adding: “Behave yourself, for God’s sake.”
But, the hearing was told McArdle went on to attempt to rape the woman.
McArdle eventually stopped before deciding to leave - taking a chocolate as he left.
The court heard around 10.45am, a family member of the victim logged in to the camera app on a phone to “check on the welfare” of the pensioner.
Miss Glancy added: “At this time, he observed that McArdle had been in the house and he appeared to be making unwanted sexual advances."
Another family member was informed of what was happening and that person contacted the police.
The first family member immediately handed over his phone with the incriminating footage.
McArdle was traced that day and arrested.
He told police: “The old woman mentioned something about her leg.
“I thought we were having a laugh between each other. I do not want to say anything else.”
Louise Arrol KC, defending, did not ask for McArdle’s bail to be continued.
Sentencing was deferred for reports.
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