A man has been arrested after a masked burglar tied up a mother and her child and threatened them with a knife in a terrifying raid.
Police launched an investigation after a man wearing a balaclava and hi-visibility jacket entered a house in Sydenham, Somerset, through an unlocked door.
He tied up his victims and demanded money and jewellery from them before sexually assaulting the woman. He fled empty-handed and a kitchen knife was discovered in a nearby garden, police said.
Detectives in Avon and Somerset said today they were questioning a 59-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated burglary and sexual assault after the "horrific" break-in on January 21.
A spokesman for the force said: "We have arrested a 59-year-old man in connection with the aggravated burglary and sexual assault in Bridgwater on January 21.
"The man remains in police custody at this time and is helping officers with their enquiries."
The burglar demanded money and jewellery but is believed to have left the house empty-handed. A kitchen knife was later discovered in a nearby garden.
