A teenage college student is on trial accused of attempting to rape a 16-year-old girl in a Bradford subway.

Imran Hussain, 18, of Jasmine Terrace, Listerhills, Bradford, is said to have followed his alleged victim, grabbed her by the hair and kicked her in the stomach in an attack on the afternoon of June 11.

The jury at Bradford Crown Court has been told that Hussain has learning difficulties. He is sitting out of the dock and has a professional helper to explain things to him.

Trial judge, Mr Justice Keith, said Hussain needed regular breaks in the proceedings to maintain his concentration.

Hussain denies attempted rape and sexual assault in a subway on Wakefield Road, at the junction with Prospect Street and Bowling Back Lane.

Prosecutor Jayne Beckett said the 16-year-old girl was walking in the direction of Bowling Park Primary School at about 3.15pm.

She went past Hussain, who attends a nearby college. She did not know him but noticed him listening to music on headphones, the court was told.

Mrs Beckett said Hussain followed her into the deserted subway, shouted at her to stop and asked for her phone number.

The girl ran off but he pursued and caught her, grabbing and sexually assaulting her, it is alleged.

When he pushed her against the subway wall and took hold of her neck, she pretended to be about to give him her phone number, the jury was told.

She then ran off but Hussain caught her again, grabbed her pony tail and pulled her to the ground. Mrs Beckett said he kicked her in the stomach and hit her in the face before pulling down his trousers and demanding that she perform a sex act on him.

The girl thought she was going to be raped and shouted for help, the court heard.

Mrs Beckett said a mother on her way to collect a pupil from Bowling Park School saw Hussain holding the girl by the hair and hitting her in the face.

The girl then ran towards the school and Hussain went off in another direction.

Mrs Becket said the school alerted the police.

Tina Landale, Hussain’s barrister, suggested to the girl that she swore at him and racially abused him.

Miss Landale said he took her in a headlock in the subway because the abuse made him angry and the two of them struggled together.

The girl then walked off and did not say she had been sexually assaulted until her second police interview.

The trial continues.