A sex attacker who pounced on a Bradford prostitute got more than he bargained for when she bit back.

The terrified 34-year-old woman was hit over the head with a beer bottle and grabbed around the throat after Matthew Smith launched his early morning attack as she waited in Smith Street, Listerhills.

Prosecutor John Lodge told the city's crown court how the prostitute, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, managed to escape from the initial attack by grabbing Smith between the legs, forcing him to loosen his grip on her.

But Smith, who had no previous record for violence or sex offences, chased after her before indecently assaulting her.

In an effort to escape, the complainant crouched down and bit him between the legs, said Mr Lodge. "When he saw he was bleeding, he pulled up his jeans and ran off saying he was going to get the police," he added.

The injured prostitute got help from a passer-by and a friend and was treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary for cuts to her thigh, soreness around her neck and a cut to her head.

She was able to give a description of her attacker and Smith, of Whetley Grove, Girlington, Bradford, was arrested the day after the assault in May last year.

Mr Lodge said when he was examined he was found to have extensive bruising and lacerations between his legs, consistent with him having been bitten.

His blood was also found at the scene of the attack and on the prostitute's jacket.

In interview he initially claimed that he had been injured after being kicked in a fight, but he later accepted hitting the prostitute with a bottle in self-defence.

Smith also admitted taking drugs and drinking alcohol that night. In June the 22-year-old finally pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault and assault and yesterday the Honourable Recorder of Bradford, Judge Stephen Gullick, jailed him.

He also ordered that Smith should register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and that his supervision on licence after his release should be extended for two years.

Smith's barrister Kama Melly conceded that her client had not fully acknowledged his offending assessments which indicated he was of extremely low intelligence.

She said he should still receive some credit for sparing the victim the ordeal of giving evidence and she noted that fortunately the woman had escaped with relatively minor injuries.

Judge Gullick told Smith that bearing in mind the nasty nature of the offences, the least sentence he could pass was one of three years imprisonment.