A BLACKBURN man who tried to strangle a pregnant nurse has been jailed for life.

Mental patient Anthony Panasiuk also sexually assaulted the nurse in hospital grounds where he was detained under an order.

Panasiuk suddenly attacked the woman as they walked in the grounds of Guild Lodge Hospital, Whittingham, Preston.

His pregnant victim feared she would die when he squeezed her throat, rendering her unconscious.

A judge, handing down the life term, told the 50-year-old defendant that he was a real danger to women.

Panasiuk, from Blackburn, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and also attempting to choke the victim in June last year. The nurse, who has not been named for legal reasons, has not returned to work there since her ordeal.

He told police he attacked her because he liked her.

The woman told police in a statement: "I could hear my own breathing.

"I thought this is the end, I'm dying and he's going to rape me'.

She later sought help from a nearby address.

For the last 20 years he has been subject to a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.

He had previous convictions for sex offences.

His barrister Mr Richard Hunt told the court Panasiuk had wanted to kiss the woman at the time.

He never planned for it to go as far as it did.

He was thoroughly ashamed of his actions and wanted to apologise.

In the years he was under the hospital order, he was said to have made little progress.

In fact, his condition may have been getting worse. He had spoken about having fantasies.

Judge Anthony Russell QC told the defendant: "It is your uncontrolled sexual urge which made you commit these offences.

"You are a real danger to women."