A SEX attacker who subjected an 18-year-old care assistant to "a terrifying and most degrading ordeal" was jailed for seven years yesterday.

The victim, who fled a school playing field in Edinburgh where the attack took place, begged a man out walking his dog to help her - not knowing he was the grandfather of her assailant.

The girl was waiting for police with James Slater, 78, and his wife Irene, 81, when Paul Miller, whose address was given as Coxwold Drive, Darlington, returned to the house.

Sentencing Miller, 24, Judge Lady Cosgrove said: "My duty in this court is to attempt to protect women from this type of attack."

A psychologist had earlier told the High Court in Edinburgh that there was a moderate risk that Miller would offend again. Because of that, she ordered Miller to be kept under strict supervision for two years after he is released.

Miller admitted a charge of attempting to rape the girl on December 22 and making her perform sex acts, at a previous hearing.

He had been staying in Edinburgh with his grandparents where he was working in a Job- Centre, the court heard.

The frightened girl was drinking tea and waiting for police with Mr Slater and his wife when Miller arrived home.

Advocate depute Robert Anthony, prosecuting, said that the girl had noted Miller's Yorkshire accent when he had threatened to kill her if she did not satisfy his sexual demands.

She didn't actually see Miller. But the Yorkshire accents of his grandparents allowed her to "put two and two together."

The judge told Miller: "During the course of the attack you subjected your victim to a terrifying and most degrading ordeal. The attack has caused distress and undoubtedly left its mark on the victim."