A FEMALE student was dragged into bushes and subjected to a terrifying sex attack in which a man tried to rape her, a court heard yesterday.

The 18-year-old Teesside University student had got out of a taxi and was walking to a friend's flat in a halls of residence when she was pounced upon by Christopher Bates.

Bates, who later admitted to police that he had been thinking about carrying out such an attack for some time, ran after the teenager and rugby-tackled her to the floor as she crossed Park Road North, Middlesbrough.

The victim, who had been drinking with friends on December 16 last year, was pushed into bushes, said Richard Bennett, prosecuting, at Teesside Crown Court.

She kicked and scratched Bates, who then sat astride her, pinning her wrists to the ground, and attempted to rape her.

But the student grabbed his genitals, making him scream in pain, and kicked him in the jaw.

During the 40-minute ordeal, she managed to escape on more than one occasion, but was dragged back and assaulted, including being hit in the face.

The attack only ended when three male students walked past and Bates - described as a dangerous young offender - ran off.

The 17-year-old, of Park Lane, Middlesbrough, who had a previous conviction for indecent assault, was captured on security cameras as he left the scene and was later picked out in an identity parade.

Robin Turton, mitigating for Bates, who admitted attempted rape, said he realised that he needed help.

Jailing him for three years and extending his licence period for a further two, Judge Les Spittle said the attack was not opportunist, but deliberately planned.

He said: "Had this young woman not shown the resourcefulness and bravery she did, the offence (of rape) would have been committed."

Bates would have to register as a sex offender indefinitely, the judge said.