A FATHER-of-three who dragged a teenager off the street and subjected her to a terrifying sex attack, was today starting a six year jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Nazam Hussain, 26, struck after an 18-year-old was separated from friends as she walked home from a nightclub in the early hours.

He pulled her by the hair into a works entrance, put his hand over her mouth and threatened to kill her, punched her and banged her head on the ground.

The assault only stopped when two policewomen, alerted by some men, pulled the defendant off the sobbing victim.

Judge David Pirie said the woman suffered a degrading and frightening attack and must have been terrified.

Hussain, of Steiner Street, Accrington, had earlier admitted attempted rape, last July. He must stay on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.

David Oultram, prosecuting, said the defendant approached the victim in Accrington and asked her where she was going.

The next thing she remembered was being on the ground on her back, with Hussain kneeling over her, telling her he wanted sex.

She was petrified, struggled and was dragged by her hair into a nearby works entrance.

Mr Oultram said Hussain put his hand over his victim's mouth, threatened to kill her, told her he loved her and struck her.

The victim could feel broken glass cut into her back as Hussain ripped open her catsuit, began to molest her and banged her head on the ground.

Her ordeal ended as the police officers pulled him from her. Hussain had his trousers down.

The prosecutor said the woman, crying and distressed, and who thought she was going to be raped and killed, suffered a cut and grazes. When Hussain was later interviewed, he said he had been drinking since about 7pm the day before and admitted he had wanted to rape the victim.

Nick Kennedy, defending, said it was difficult to understand why Hussain had acted in the way he had. He lost control because he had been drinking. The offence was completely out of character but the defendant had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Mr Kennedy said Hussain, who had suffered medical problems most of his adult life, was genuinely and thoroughly ashamed.

He had written a letter of apology to his victim, which he hoped would be passed on by her solicitor.