A MAN who sexually assaulted a guest at his home when she fell asleep on his sofa has been jailed for two years.

Paul Luck must now also tell police before he makes friends with any other women or gets involved in a sexual or physical relationship.

The 53-year-old was told by a judge at Teesside Crown Court that his attack on the sleeping victim was "a monstrous breach of trust".

The court heard how the woman found the incident "highly distressing", and she said: "I feel like my whole life has fallen apart."

Her partner has left her because he could not cope with the knowledge that she had been sexually attacked, said prosecutor Richard Bennett.

She is suffering from depression and anxiety attacks, and is on medication and drinking heavily to try to wipe the horrific memories.

In a statement, she said: "My life doesn't seem worth living any more.

"I have feelings of utter disgust in myself and can't get them out of my system. My life has been ruined."

Luck, of Russell Street, Stockton, admitted a charge of sexual assault from February last year, and was also put on the sex offenders' register for life.

Mr Bennett told the court that the woman woke on the sofa to find her trousers and underwear had been pulled down around her knees.

Luck was lying behind her "thrusting and moaning", and claimed to have performed a sex act on her while she slept.

After the police were contacted, the suspect denied anything had happened and said scientists were wrong when they said they found his DNA on the woman's thigh and buttocks.

In 1989, Luck was jailed for a year for having sex with an underage girl – just weeks after he dodged prison for three identical charges.

Despite initially denying last year's crime, he pleaded guilty, but a probation report seems to indicate he had tried to claim he did not do it.

His lawyer, Alex Bousfield, told the court: "He does accept responsibility for his actions, despite what's said in the report.

"Clearly the report writer has had concerns about his level of acceptance of responsibility. He has to be punished, and he simply wanted to know from me how long he was going to get."

Judge Sean Morris told Luck: "You have pleaded guilty to a monstrous breach of trust. It was an unpleasant offence which has left her devastated."