Teen arrested over assault of woman, 84

Photo / NZ Herald

A 14-year-old has been arrested four days after an elderly woman was assaulted during a burglary of her home in Rotorua on Sunday, police say.

The 84-year-old woman was hospitalised with a lacerated scalp after Sunday's attack but has since returned home to recover.

Police arrested the teenager on Thursday after speaking with a group of youths loitering near the woman's home in central Rotorua, Senior Sergeant Dennis Murphy said.

Police had made an effort to be more visible around the area of the attack, to reassure local residents, he said.

The youth had been charged with burglary and aggravated assault and would appear in the Rotorua Youth Court today. He had also been charged with theft in relations to several other incidents. Mr Murphy said.

- NZPA