A man was jailed for four years yesterday for sexual offences against a teenage girl.

A judge at Teesside Crown Court imposed the sentence on Gary Eade despite a written plea for his liberty from his victim.

Eade, 39, of Wyrley, Walsall, Staffordshire, who admitted a charge of attempted rape and four of indecent assault, was put on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Tina Dempster, prosecuting, told the court Eade had committed the offences while visiting the Cleveland area.

Counsel for Eade, Deborah Sherwin, said the root of the defendant's problems lay in the fact he had been abused as a child. But he was ashamed and disgusted by his own behaviour, she said.

Despite an appeal from the victim, Judge Michael Cart-lidge sentenced Eade to four years for attempted rape and three for indecent assault, to be served concurrently.