By Express News Service

DHARMAPURI: Within two months of his release from a juvenile home, a teenager, who was arrested last year for raping and murdering a six-year-old girl near Mettur in Salem district, was arrested again in Dharmapuri for attempting to rape and murder a 30-year-old woman in Palacode on Saturday.

Luckily for the woman, the other members of the house rescued her in time. The boy was treated to mob justice before he was handed over to the police.

The victim, Lakshmi (name changed), was living with her elder brother’s family in Theerthagiri Nagar in Palacode. On Saturday, the other members went out, leaving Lakshmi and a three-year-old child in the house. The accused’s mother Bakkiyam (50) runs a provisional store near Lakshmi’s house. After being released from the juvenile home, he was living with his mother, police said.

On Saturday, after learning that Lakshmi was alone in the house, the teenager gained entry by lifting the slabs off the roof. Shocked, Lakshmi raised an alarm. However, the teenager pushed her down after hitting her with a wooden log and attempted to rape her, police investigations revealed.

Luckily for Lakshmi, her family returned in time and entered the house through the backdoor. Neighbours rushed to her rescue and the boy was beaten up before being handed over to the Palacode police.

“He was admitted to a hospital with injuries. We will produce him before the Juvenile Justice Board,” Palacode Inspector C M Rathinakumar said.