A CALL from a mobile phone helped to save a welfare officer after she was sexually assaulted by an asylum seeker, a court heard yesterday.

Libyan Farage Farage, 22, pounced on the woman at his home after the pair had been on a shopping trip to collect a television, on April 19.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Mr Farage snapped after they were chatting and the woman received a mobile telephone call from her boyfriend.

He then told her he loved her and flew into a jealous rage before pinning her to the sofa and indecently assaulting her.

The ordeal was only brought to an end when the phone rang again and she was able to escape.

Stanley Anderson, prosecuting, said: "He got irrationally upset."

The court heard how the woman tried to fight him off, but was not strong enough.

Mr Farage, of Canning Street, Benwell, Newcastle, denies indecent assault.

The trial continues.