A TEENAGER went on trial yesterday, accused of trying to rape a woman in an alleyway after an evening out.

John Sanderson is alleged to have offered to walk the woman home from a bar in Hartlepool and then, after ignoring requests for him to leave her to go home on her own, he is alleged to have pulled her into an alleyway.

Yesterday, Ian Skelt, prosecuting, told the jury at Teesside Crown Court Mr Sanderson got the woman on to the floor on her back and pulled her trousers down.

Mr Skelt said the woman succeeded in pushing him away after he bit her.

Mr Sanderson, 18, formerly of Longscar Walk, Hartlepool, denies attempted rape.

Mr Skelt said the pair had been in the Emporium Bar in Hartlepool when Mr Sanderson introduced himself.

At about 8pm, the woman decided to leave and he offered to walk her home. She declined his offer, said Mr Skelt.

But outside, she came across Mr Sanderson again and they walked away from the bar. She asked him not to walk her home, said Mr Skelt.

When Mr Sanderson was arrested, he said that, after leaving the bar, he had gone straight home and had no contact with the woman.

Later, he said he and the woman had walked together and they had both willingly gone into the alleyway where he started to perform a sex act with her.When she objected, he stopped, he said.

The case continues