A sex attacker who subjected a schoolgirl to a terrifying ordeal was jailed for three years yesterday.

Thomas Harle, 37, molested the underage teenager on March 20.

Newcastle Crown Court was told how Harle, who had no previous convictions, put his hand over the youngster's mouth to prevent her cries for help being heard during the assault.

He was arrested the next day, but claimed he remembered nothing about what happened due to the amount of drink he had consumed.

Harle, of The Avenue, Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside, admitted an indecent assault charge.

A statement read in court from the girl's mother told how the ordeal has had an "immediate and extreme" effect on her.

The court heard how Harle's mental health began to deteriorate after the death of his father in 2002 and he turned to drink to cope with the bereavement.

Defence barrister James Adkin said Harle had been drinking every day in the months leading up to the attack.

Judge David Hodson sentenced Harle to three years behind bars and extended his licence period by a further three years.

Harle must register as a sex offender for life and has been banned from working with children.