A stranger, Matthew Nurse, forced his way into a home in Scunthorpe, leading to a violent attack on a mother and daughter, including an attempted rape and sexual assault, as detailed in a hearing at Grimsby Crown Court.
The incident occurred when the older woman, a pensioner, had just sat down after her evening meal. Nurse broke through the front door, snapping the chain lock, and entered the dining room where he punched and kicked her in the head. She sustained defensive marks on her hands while trying to protect herself and screamed for her daughter. When the daughter entered the room to intervene, Nurse struck her on the head as she attempted to push him out. The daughter used a mop to create a barrier, but Nurse seized it and struck her with it. Although she momentarily forced him out, he barged back in, threatening to kill her and demanding sex. He pounced on her, ripping her clothing while she was on the ground. The mother tried to pull him off her daughter, but Nurse then attacked the mother again and sexually assaulted her. The family's dog barked loudly during the ordeal, prompting Nurse to threaten to kill it as well. Both women suffered injuries from the assault.
Their screams alerted a neighbour who promptly called 999, leading to a rapid police response. Upon arrival, officers attempted to arrest Nurse, but he became violent and assaulted a female Humberside Police officer. After his arrest, Nurse claimed he had been headbutted by a stranger on the street and sought refuge in the home, stating he had consumed two half-litre bottles of vodka that morning. He initially denied the offences but later admitted to attempted rape, wounding, sexual assault, causing grievous bodily harm, and assault on a police officer.
At Grimsby Crown Court, Judge Gurdial Singh described Nurse as a danger to the public, noting his history of 34 convictions for 73 offences, including attempted arson in 2020 at a Grimsby petrol station while standing with a lighter near a fuel pump. The attempted rape occurred while Nurse was on licence from prison. Prosecuting barrister Craig Lowe highlighted the lasting impact on the victims, who were left anxious and suffering from sleep loss. In mitigation, defence barrister Michele Stuart-Lofthouse cited Nurse's chaotic upbringing, mental health problems, and a 'complicated myriad of issues,' adding that he wished to apologise for his actions. Nurse appeared in court with his head bowed, restrained in handcuffs.
Judge Singh sentenced Nurse to ten-and-a-half years in prison, followed by an eight-year extended licence period due to the high risk of further harm. An indefinite restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting Nurse from approaching the incident location or the victims. The judge commended the daughter's courage in attending court, stating, 'I can't begin to imagine how you felt at the time. Nothing I say or do is going to make it better. Thank you for the courage you have shown in coming to court and for supporting the prosecution.' This case was reported by Grimsby Live on 27 January 2026.