A MAN who attempted to rape a vulnerable teenager has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Marcel Bretherton, of Albany Street, Newport, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday charged with attempted rape and sexual assault following an incident in March last year in the Newport area.

The 27-year-old was found guilty of both charges at trial.

Nigel Friar, prosecuting, read out an victim impact statement from the teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The statement said she was afraid to return to the scene of the incident, has occasional nightmares and gets tearful and upset when remembering what happened. She said she has also become a “nervous and insecure person” and “distrusting in relationships”.

Marian Lewis, defending, said the attempted rape and sexual assault were not pre-planned but accepted that her client had consumed alcohol on the night of the incident.

She added that there was no evidence of the victim receiving treatment for “severe” psychological harm, that Bretherton suffered from depression and anxiety and that he had an “unhappy background” due to being in care since the age of six

Ms Lewis said: “(Bretherton) was fortunate that despite that unhappy childhood he was taken under the wing of a family who provided him with support to this day."

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke described the offence as “serious” due to the vulnerability of the woman.

Aggravating features including Bretherton’s alcohol consumption.

Bretherton must serve half of his sentence before being released on licence and will be listed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.