Woman, 85, indecently attacked by intruder

An elderly woman has been allegedly indecently assaulted by her gardener over a two-hour period after he broke into her Newcastle home.

The 85-year-old woman was alone in her Edgeworth home when a man entered about 6pm and allegedly indecently assaulted her several times until she was able to press an alarm just after 8pm, police said.

It's understood he 53-year-old man had done gardening work at the woman's address in the past, police said.

A relative of the woman went to the house after the alarm was pushed and saw a man fleeing the property.

The victim has been treated for a number of non-life threatening injuries.

The man has been charged with breaking and entering and assault with intent to commit sexual assault and has been refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Monday.