Michael Parker, 24, said he had been too drunk to remember the attack, but at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday he pleaded guilty to attempted rape.

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 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, defending, 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. He can't understand it."

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 really only stopped when someone came in and stopped you.

"She has plainly had a lot of problems since.

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

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