A DRUNK intruder who subjected a 13-year-old babysitter to a terrifying sex ordeal has been jailed for six months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how machine operator Anthony Ashworth, 24, got into the property, undid the girl's top and asked her for sex.

She was later found in the street crying and hysterical with the baby in her arms. The defendant, who was said to have thought it was his house, was beaten up by a man who came to her aid and remembered nothing until he woke up in hospital, the court was told.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said the victim must have been horrified. He said the defendant, who was "paralytic" drunk, did not touch her intimately, was of previous good character, and was unlikely to behave in such a way again.

The judge said he had thought hard about what to do with Ashworth, but had to think about the victim and her parents too. He added the defendant had received a beating on the night of the offence and said: "Perhaps, in some way, that was the best punishment of all."

Ashworth, of Mersey Street, Burnley, admitted indecent assault.

David Pickup, prosecuting, said the 13-year-old had fallen asleep in the living room and awoke in the early hours to find a man lying on the floor next to the sofa, staring her in the face. He said the girl did not know who Ashworth was, but he appeared drunk and asked her for sex. He was holding her foot and she found the top button of her pyjamas was undone.

Mr Pickup said the defendant fell asleep on the floor and the 13-year-old fled outside, with the baby, in her pyjamas and slippers, locking the door behind her. She found people to help her and one man went into the flat and hit Ashworth.

Tim Ashmole, defending, described the events as bizarre and said Ashworth could not explain how he got into the property. He said the offence was a one-off and the defendant was not thought to be a danger. He felt ashamed and if he was jailed there was a good chance he would lose his job.