A GRANDMOTHER was allegedly subjected to a double sex attack at a Burnley house after a night out, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the woman was molested by Paul Aspinall, 31, a convicted sex offender, who was said to have put one hand on her throat, the other over her mouth and told her he would hurt her if she made any noise.

Aspinall then fondled the alleged victim, kissed her and told her he wanted sex with her. He was later arrested but told police he could not remember much because of the amount he had had to drink.

The defendant, of Bungalow Road, Glusburn, Keighley, denies two allegations of sexual assault, said to have taken place between June 26 and 29, last year.

Mark Monaghan, prosecuting, told the jury the alleged victim had been out in Burnley and got a taxi back to a house in the town. The defendant was staying in Burnley overnight.

The woman was getting some bedding and when she turned round she saw the defendant standing at the foot of the bed staring at her. She felt very uncomfortable.

Mr Monaghan said the alleged victim tried to get past Aspinall, but he grabbed her by the wrists. She told him to stop being stupid but he did not let go.

The woman went downstairs with the bedding and Aspinall followed her. She didn't want to go upstairs as she was frightened he would follow her and didn't want to leave the house.

The grandmother tried to ignore the defendant and refused when he asked her to sit next to him on the sofa.

The prosecutor said Aspinall then grabbed her wrists and pulled her onto the settee, putting one hand over her throat and other over her mouth. He told her not to make a noise or he would hurt her. As he did so, he had a clenched fist and the woman took the threat very seriously.

Mr Monaghan said Aspinall put his hand down the front of the woman's top. He then began to pull at her belt.

The defendant told the alleged victim he wanted to have sex with her and when the woman said she was desperate to use the toilet, he let her go. He again said he wanted sex with her and tried to kiss her.

Mr Monaghan said she then went upstairs, Aspinall kept calling to her and the woman kept putting him off. She had managed to call her daughter and police arrived at about 1.20am. Aspinall was arrested and taken to Burnley Police Station. He was interviewed and read out a prepared statement.

The defendant denied any sex assault and said he wouldn't be answering any questions as his recollection of the alleged incident was very limited becaise of the amount he had had to drink.

The prosecutor told the jury Monaghan had a previous conviction for sex assault from 2005. He added: "The Crown says he has a propensity to commit sexual assault."

(Proceeding).

10:34pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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