A MAN pounced on a terrified teenager and subjected her to a sexual assault as she walked along an unlit pathway, a court heard.

Kevin Thompson, 41, followed the girl as she walked home in Middlesbrough before jumping from bushes and grabbing her.

He touched the 17-year-old victim's leg before carrying out the sex attack but she managed to struggle free and run home, Teesside Crown Court was told yesterday.

Duncan Smith, prosecuting, said the incident happened at about 5pm on December 2, 2003 in the Normanby area of the town.

The girl had been travelling by bus, but got off at a stop ten minutes from her home so she could go to a fish and chip shop.

He said: "She was eating her chips as she was walking home when she became aware of a man.

"That man dropped his trousers and pounced on her, putting his hands up her skirt and a hand on her breast. She was able to scream for help and elbowed him and ran off."

The girl told the jury she had been followed by the man, who she did not know, as she walked along a shortcut. She became uncomfortable and stopped to let him pass, but she noticed him further ahead of her near some bushes.

The court heard on December 10, 2003 a man was arrested on suspicion of the offence and on February 20 last year the victim picked out Mr Thompson in an identity procedure.

Mr Thompson, of St Patrick's Road, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, denies indecent assault.

The trial continues.