The attacker of a schoolgirl who tried to kill herself after the assault was yesterday jailed for two years.

The 14-year-old victim was admitted to Hartlepool General Hospital when she took an overdose.

The youngster, from east Durham, recovered and named her attacker as Graham Nicholson, 31, Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told Tees-side Crown Court.

The girl's younger brother witnessed the attack, but Nicholson ordered him to say nothing.

Nicholson, of Seahouse Lane, Easington, was ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting his victim in 1998.

He was originally charged with raping her, which he denied, and the judge had directed a not guilty verdict after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Paul Cleasby, defending, said Nicholson insisted it was an isolated incident. He had spent a month in custody on remand, but the stigma would remain with him for life.

Judge Peter Bowers told him: "I hope you will have some treatment on your release.