AN 89-YEAR-OLD great-grandmother with Alzheimer’s was raped in a horrific early hours attack in her own home.

The vulnerable victim has told how one young man sexually assaulted her as another looked on and laughed.

Now police have launched an appeal to trace the offenders following the terrifying incident in the Rossmore area of Poole after 10pm on Saturday, December 30.

And her shocked family have spoken out to warn others to be on their guard until the offenders are behind bars.

The confused victim phoned her daughter at around 9.30am on Sunday December 31 and said she needed to see a doctor because she had been raped.

Her daughter then contacted police and an investigation was launched.

The victim was taken to the police rape suite and has undergone physical examinations.

Members of the victim’s family said they have recently been concerned about their mother’s safety in her home and said their worst fears have now been realised.

“I used to worry that she would let people in without thinking about it and that she would be burgled or mugged” said her daughter.

“It never occurred to any of us that something like this would happen.”

The family said their mother’s home was not broken into and nothing was stolen.

“In a way that makes it even more shocking” said another family member. “They have gone there deliberately to rape her which is absolutely sickening.

“If they’ve done it once they could do it again and we want to warn people to be careful. It is impossible to describe how angry and upset we are about what has happened.”

The victim’s family said they are now concentrating on helping her to get over her ordeal and finding her somewhere safe to live.

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed they received a call at 10.30am on Sunday December 31 referring to an incident overnight. They said an investigation is under way and said no arrests have been made.

He said the victim was reported pushed in the chest, causing her to fall on to her bed, before the assault took place.

Detective Constable Jon Sainsbury, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We have now been able to obtain a full account from the victim but she is vulnerable and due to her health her recollection of events is limited.

“We are making every effort to establish exactly what happened and I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information that can assist our investigation to contact me.

“Did you see two men acting suspiciously in this area at the relevant time? If so I would like to hear from you.

“We appreciate this must have been a very distressing incident for the victim and specially-trained officers are continuing to support her.”

The victim did not recognise the two men and is unable to provide a detailed description of them. It is also not known at this time how the men got into the property.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170201104. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org