A man has been arrested after a 60-year-old woman was tied up for two days following a burglary at her home.
The victim was attacked in her garden in Frittenden, near Staplehurst, Kent, on Easter Sunday by a man asking for some water claiming he was hot from a cycle ride.
She was repeatedly punched, cut with a knife, and left with bruising, a black eye and cuts to her face before the assailant finally tied her up and left.
Less than £100 was taken from her home during the incident.
He left her bound hand and foot, gagged and restrained in such a way that she couldn't even move to a window to attract attention.
As a final act of indignity he poured a bottle of alcohol over her before leaving.
Concerned relatives who had not heard from the woman for two days called police, who found her restrained in her house. They freed her and took her to hospital.
A 29-yearold man from Headcorn was arrested and has been released on bail, pending further inquiries, until May 12.
Police are appealing to members of the public for information after the victim suffered the "harrowing and traumatic ordeal".
Detectives hope residents who live nearby can check their CCTV, doorbell cameras and contact police if they suspect they have footage which can assist them.
