A FATHER-of-two who drank heavily on a night out then sexually assaulted a teenage girl has been sent to prison for two-and-a-half years.

Martin Woodend, 43, of Hayhurst Street, Clitheroe, met his 17-year-old victim after drinking about 10 pints, Preston Crown Court heard.

The girl had been drinking with friends on April 22 last year before becoming separated from them and was found by self-employed Woodend in the street.

At first intending to help her Woodend, who has no previous convictions, ended up kissing her and sexually touching her, removing her bra and putting his hand in her underwear.

The court heard how Woodend regretted his actions and was wracked with remorse.

In mitigation defence barrister Mark Stephenson said drink had played a part in the actions of both sides. Mr Stephenson said: "His first and his primary concern was to help her, clearly something changed. Its to his eternal remorse that he cannot remember why the incident changed."

He added: "We have snippets and pieces of the jigsaw but we don't have anything close to a clear picture of what happened."

The court heard how the victim was now receiving counselling and Woodend himself no longer drank as much.

The court heard how much of the evidence used against Woodend came from his own testimony after a long interview with the police.

At first Woodend pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty earlier this year. He was given credit by Judge Jonathan Foster QC for the plea, but Judge Foster said: "The public must know that this sort of attack will not be tolerated, it gives me no pleasure to pass this sentence on you."