A VULNERABLE homeless woman was attacked in the night by a drunk man in Worcester city centre.

Sajid Aurangzab attacked the victim only metres away from Worcester Police Station in an incident the manager of a city homeless project has called shocking - saying it highlights what homeless people have to suffer on the city's streets.

Prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, Nicola Ritchie said the incident began in the early hours of Saturday, October 13, when the 27-year-old spoke to the woman in McDonald's in Foregate Street, asking her if she was homeless.

Miss Ritchie said: "She said yes.

"The defendant then offered to give her money, saying he would need to withdraw it from a cash point."

Miss Ritchie said the defendant went out of the fast food restaurant with the woman, handing over £20 at a cash point in The Cross.

Miss Ritchie said the victim claimed Aurangzab then asked her for sexual favours, which the victim refused.

"The complainant got on her bike and went to the Esso garage, in Castle Street, to buy alcohol," Miss Ritchie said.

"He ran after her to the garage and pushed her hard to the floor, falling onto her back.

"He then pulled her hair."

Miss Ritchie said the police were quickly at the scene to stop the attack, as officers came from Worcester Police Station across the road.

Defending, Andrew Wakeman stressed Aurangzab, of Crabbe Street, Stourbridge, denied he had asked for any sexual favours, explaining this had initially been a case of him wanting to help a homeless woman.

"He decided to offer her money," Mr Wakeman said.

"He got the money from the cash point and gave it to her.

"He followed her to outside the petrol station because he wanted to ask for the money back, as he needed the money to get a taxi home.

"She refused. He admits he was in the wrong, he was drunk.

"He shouldn't have tried to get the money back.

"This was out of character - he is not someone who has behaved this way before."

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Harris Marcou said he had given Aurangzab credit for his early guilty plea of assault by beating, and was dealing with the issue by way of a fine and compensation for the victim.

Aurangzab was fined £150 and ordered to pay £75 in compensation, court costs of £135, and a victim surcharge of £30 - a total of £390.

Mel Kirk, manager of Maggs Day Centre, said it was an example of homeless people being dehumanised when they are at their lowest ebb.

"This highlights the dangers of being homeless, not just being out in the cold, but the threats to your personal safety," she said.

"Being attacked is bad enough, but it will have been frightening for the victim, as she had no where to go.

"It must have been scary.

"It was fortunate it happened near the police station - it could have been much more serious."

The case was heard at the court on Thursday.