A WOMAN bit a sex attacker she feared would rape her, fighting him off after warning him sex was 'not on the cards'.

Martin Lawrenson admitted the sexual assault in Kidderminster when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (December 1). The attack happened in July 2013.

The 38-year-old of Beaudesert Road, Handsworth, pleaded guilty to the attack on the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Giles Nelson, prosecuting, said Lawrenson had been told there was 'nothing on the cards' sexually but he kissed her neck and touched her between the legs.

Mr Nelson said: "She thought she was going to be raped.

“She fought him off. She bit him in fact."

Carl Templar-Vasey, defending, said Lawrenson was a man of previous good character and had entered a guilty plea on the day of trial.

Mr Templar-Vasey asked that Lawrenson be given a discount in the length of sentence of 10 per cent 'if not slightly more' despite the late plea but conceded the custody threshold had been crossed.

A pre-sentence report had been prepared by the probation service and read by the judge, Nicholas Cole QC before he passed sentence.

Mr Templar-Vasey said Lawrenson had expressed remorse which he also showed at the time and stressed that the probation service had identified Lawrenson as presenting a low risk of harm and reconviction.

He added: "He's very sorry for any of the difficulty caused. The best mitigation is, since this incident, there has been no repetition."

Lawrenson is unemployed and had worked as a care support worker until this complaint was made.

A victim personal statement was also ready by the judge in which the complainant said how she felt 'dirty, disgusted and scared' by what had happened to her.

Judge Nicholas Cole QC, sentencing, said: "She was terrified. She thought she was going to be raped.

"I sentence you on the basis you were not intending to rape her but this was sexual assault by kissing her neck and touching her without her consent.

"The effect was significant. She was screaming. She fought you off. To your credit you apologised straight away and continued to apologise thereafter."

Judge Cole gave him credit for his guilty plea despite its lateness, sentencing him to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

The reasons he gave for the suspension were 'a realistic prospect of rehabilitation', 'strong personal mitigation', no risk to the public and no history of poor compliance with court orders.

Lawrenson must also complete the Maps for Change programme to address his behaviour. This will involve up to 30 days of activity. No restraining order was applied for.

He must sign the sex offender register for 10 years and notify his offender manager of any change in his circumstances such as a change of address.

The statutory surcharge also applies and the sum Lawrenson must pay will be calculated administratively at a later date.