A teenage sex attacker who tried to rape a 17-year-old at night was today starting a four-year sentence in a secure unit.

The youngster, who was 15 at the time, was told by Judge Gerald Coles QC that he had treated his terrified victim with "disgusting contempt", but he said he had tried hard not to be carried away by his own disgust at what he had done to her.

Today his victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she was "disappointed" by the sentence.

The teenager pounced after she left a pub in the Leeds Road area of Bradford in January. As she entered the Eastbrook Well subway complex, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her and saw him running towards her.

Prosecutor Simon Harin told Bradford Crown Court the teenager forced her down onto the floor before punching her in the back. She thought she was being mugged and pleaded with him to take her bag. But after putting it in some nearby bushes, he returned and continued the attack upon her - forcing her to commit sex acts. He then stole a mobile phone and personal organiser from her rucksack.

Two days later, the teenager, who also cannot be identified for legal reasons, followed a 21-year-old woman as she returned to her car in the Vicar Lane area and, after she refused to hand over her car keys, he pushed her to the ground and punched her about the head and back.The youngster, who had no previous convictions, eventually drove off in her car but was later arrested, and the mobile phone and personal organiser, as well as items from the second robbery, were found at his home.

The youth, now 16, admitted a charge of attempted rape and two offences of robbery. The court heard he would be returning to a secure unit where he had been living for most the time since his arrest.

In addition to the custodial sentence, he will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and Judge Coles indicated that he would be subject to supervision for a total period of about six years.

Judge Coles also praised the two victims for their courage and hoped they would be able to put their ordeals behind them.

Barrister Sukhbir Bassra, in mitigation, said the boy's first wish was to go back in time so he wouldn't commit the first offence and his second was to be able to apologise to his victims.

After the case the 17-year-old victim said: "I'm really disappointed that he didn't get more than he did, but I'm glad it's all behind us."

The 21-year-old victim said: "I'm just disappointed that he's going back to where he was and not to a proper prison."

Her father said: "I thought it was an unfair sentence, I don't think it was enough. He'll be out by the time he's 19. I would have liked to see him get at least six years."

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