WALKING defiantly into the courtroom yesterday, it was the first time Dorothy had seen her attackers face to face since they savagely beat and raped her.

It was a difficult moment for the 65-year-old, but she was determined to see teenagers David Humphrey and Lee Beazley sentenced for the terrifying ordeal they put her through.

Six months ago, they had entered her home, in Marton, Middlesbrough, and raped and beat her over several hours while high on drink, cannabis and heroin substitute tablets.

They then ransacked her home and stole a mobile phone, cash and jewellery of a sentimental nature, given to her by her husband.

Dorothy - not her real name - she was determined to go back home after the attack, despite it triggering memories she would rather forget.

She has received counselling to try to get over what happened and has had huge support from her family, friends, police and neighbours.

However, she said yesterday: "What I was subjected to affects me every day. I'll never be the same again.

"At times, I feel I am just existing, not living, but you have got to get on with your life.

"You can't put everything on hold.

"I had mixed emotions but I wanted to be in court to help find some closure to this.

"It was the first time I had seen their faces. They did a terrible thing, but I do try not to think about them - it doesn't help the healing process."

Dorothy added: "My aim now is to try and get back to some normality. I felt I had to move back home. They were not going to take that from me.

"I take things a day at a time, knowing I have the support of family, friends and the police."

The brutality of what happened to the pensioner in her own home shocked both seasoned detectives and the local community.

One senior police officer said at the time: "Short of murder, this is the worst attack I have dealt with in 26 years of police service."

Detective Sergeant Simon Hurwood, who led the hunt for the rapists, said Dorothy had shown tremendous courage.

Despite her severe injuries, she managed to drag herself to a phone and dial 999.

Det Sgt Hurwood arrived to see Dorothy being wheeled away on a stretcher by paramedics who took her to The James Cook University Hospital for treatment.

He said: "I was just horrified at what I saw, that was before I heard about the sexual assault.

"My admiration for this lady is absolutely immense. Her courage and determination is just amazing.

"I have regular contact with her. She has her good days and her bad days. She has had a bad week leading up to the court case, it was the first time she was going to see them again.

"She was absolutely determined to see them sentenced. It was something she felt she had to do."

The pensioner has praised the kindness of people who have supported her.

She said: "I can't praise the police enough. They've played a major part in helping me build myself up again.

"After the attack, I received a tremendous amount of cards and flowers, many from people I don't even know and I had no way of thanking them.

"There is a lot of kindness out there and that has helped my motivation.

"I try to be positive but it still catches me out. You don't forget things that happen in your life like this."

Dorothy now hopes, after seeing her attackers jailed, that she is able to move forward with her life, but she will never forget that night.

She said: "It will always be there. I get flashbacks and I'm nervous when I go out but I'm determined not to let that stop me.

"As I said, I will never be the same again, but I am determined to get on with my life."