A MAN who threatened to rape a 13-year-old girl on a canal towpath in Kidderminster has been spared a jail sentence.

Paul Lane, 33, grabbed the victim's arm and asked her to perform a sex act on him, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He warned he would rape her if she did not comply but she became hysterical and he walked off after the girl's dog tried to bite him.

Lane, of Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to indecent assault.

Judge Andrew Geddes told him: "It was an appalling thing to have done. The child was very frightened and the trauma will remain with her for a long time."

But he said Lane was depressed following the break-up of a relationship and had acted out of character.

He was sentenced to a 12 month community rehabilitation order on condition he live at a bail hostel for three months. He must also register as a sex offender for seven years.

The girl was walking towards Wolverley in April this year when she passed Lane who was sunbathing in Springfield Park after drinking cider.

Prosecutor Jonathan Gosling said he approached the girl, grabbed her arm and made the lewd suggestion. He then walked off smiling.

Passers-by helped the girl home. Lane was quizzed by police next day and denied he made suggestions to the girl.

Martin Jenkins, defending, said Lane had a normal relationship for ten years which produced two children.

Afterwards he lived on his own and then became besotted by another woman.

But that relationship broke down and left him depressed, jobless and homeless.

Mr Jenkins said he suffered from depression which led to a number of suicide attempts.

He added: "It is inconceivable that this lunacy would have gone any further. Upsetting though it was, it was just words."