AN illegal immigrant ignored a woman's requests and carried out a sustained sex assault.

Harnek Singh, 28, who was said to be sexually inexperienced, tried to force himself on the woman at the home of a mutual friend, following a night out drinking in Murton, east Durham.

Durham Crown Court heard he appeared naked in the woman's bedroom and continually asked her for sex.

Although she rebuffed him, he continued to make advances and carried out the assault, even though she punched him to try to make him stop.

Lorraine Mustard, prosecuting, said it was only when the victim began sobbing that Singh finally desisted.

The woman dressed and told a friend what had taken place.

Miss Mustard said it was reported to police, and Singh was arrested.

He subsequently made admissions and, although he denied biting the woman during the incident, a DNA test proved he was responsible.

The court heard the attack took place after he and the woman had joined two mutual friends for a night out drinking, on New Year's Day.

Singh, who has an address in Coventry, was assisted by a Punjabi interpreter at the court.

He admitted a charge of sexual assault at a previous hearing.

Lee Marklew, mitigating, told the court: "He's 28 and of previous good character.

"His actions were born of his skewed perspective, spurred by the effect of alcohol and aggravated by his lack of sexual experience of any kind.

"The offence, itself, wasn't premeditated.

"He's alone in this country, in terms of his family, and before he came here, his life was spent in rural India, which is no doubt very different from what he has found here."

Mr Marklew added that Singh was in this country illegally, and the authorities are aware of his situation.

Jailing him for 21 months, Judge John Evans told Singh: "This was a pretty brutal, prolonged assault, when the complainant was making it pretty plain that your advances were not welcome."

Judge Evans said if Singh remains in this country after his release, he must sign the sex offenders' register for ten years.