A YOUTH with a history of violent offending has been let off a prison sentence for a "terrifying" 15-minute sexual assault on a young woman in Butlins, Minehead.

His 20-year-old victim was doing her washing in the staff laundry room at 1am when Christopher Rose asked directions to his accommodation and then held the back of her neck, gave her "a proper French kiss" and tried to get her to respond, Taunton Crown Court was told.

When she refused, he pushed her into a corner with an arm around her neck in a "choke lock" and put a hand inside her trousers.

"She managed to push him off and get his hand out of her knickers and he tried to kiss her again as she tried to get away from him and shouted 'Get off me'," said Caroline Bolt, prosecuting.

He let go of her and she elbowed him and he ran off.

Rose, 19, of Swindon, had four previous convictions and was on licence from a prison sentence, she said.

Recorder Peter Towler said Rose had pleaded guilty to a "serious and rather disturbing offence of sexual assault". He had been drinking, was covered in mud, as if he had fallen into a ditch, and was aggressive.

"It must have been for her a terrifying incident. She must have feared that something very much more serious would happen and, but for her struggles, who knows it may have done.

"I have no doubt this offence justifies an immediate custodial sentence. It certainly justifies a sentence of more than 12 months, and possibly two years,"said the judge.

He said he had to ask himself whether the public interest in seeing he was properly punished was overruled by seeing he had the sort of training that may prevent a lifetime of crime.

If it were possible for Rose to receive the proper training in prison he would have gone into custody but that would require a four-year sentence which the offence did not justify.

At his age, and having had a "traumatic start to your life" when he was under the influence of another person, it was in the public interest to see if Rose could turn his life around and keep out of trouble, the judge added.

Rose was sentenced to one year, suspended for two years with 18 months supervision and four months tagged curfew from 9pm to 8am. He was also put on the Sex Offenders' Register for ten years.

The judge told him: "I hope you understand I am taking an exceptional course with you. If you come back into the dock you can expect a substantial prison sentence.".