A MAN who tried to rape a teenager as his wife slept in the same bed has been jailed for five years.

Colin Kingshott, 34, attempted to rape the 15-year-old as his unsuspecting wife lay asleep beside them.

The youngster's ordeal ended when she lashed out.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Kingshott was "exceedingly drunk" at the time and had no recollection of what happened.

The father-of-two, of Silver Courts, Brandon, County Durham, denied attempted rape but was convicted by a jury at Durham Crown Court last month.

Ros Scott-Bell, defending, said Kingshott was devastated by the verdict. His wife is standing by him, she said.

Judge Richard Lowden said: "This was persistent and took place over a considerable period of time. There was no gratuitious violence but it required her to hit out before you disisted."

Kingshott will be a registered sex offender for life.