Michael Parker said he was too drunk to remember the attack in February
last year.

But the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to attempted rape at Newcastle Crown
Court yesterday.

The court heard how the father-of-one undressed and then tried to rape the girl on February 28 last year.

The attack was interrupted when someone opened the bedroom door and
confronted Parker.

Tim Gittins, prosecuting, told the court that Parker claimed to have no
recollection of the events, but accepts he did try to rape the girl.

He said: "He admits attempted rape. He was drunk and and cannot think of any reason why it happened."

Mr Gittins told the court that the girl was angry about the attack, and had suffered a change in personality.

Brian Mark, mitigating, said: "This was an offence committed when he was
completely drunk.

"He doesn't have an attraction for young girls. He can't understand how he got himself into that position."

Judge David Wood said: "You did go and lie down on the bed next to her, and it was later you undressed and got into bed next to her.

"You undressed her and you attempted to rape her. You were realy only stopped when someone came in and stopped you.

"The purpose of the law is to protect young children and to deter adults
from having sexual contact with them."

Parker, of Peasmore Road, Sunderland, was jailed for five years, and told he must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life.