A sex attacker who was caught trying to rape a schoolgirl was today jailed for 12 years.

The judge at the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Hardie, told Mark Lavery he was a risk to society.

He added: "The consequences for a young person of what you did are truly horrific. Although her physical injuries were not great, the psychological effect of what you did will probably remain with her for the rest of her life."

Thirty-two-year-old Lavery, who has shown no remorse for his attack, will be monitored for eight years after his release.

Lavery, whose address was given as c/o Barlinnie Prison, admitted attempting to rape the 16-year-old girl in Hamilton on April 2 last year.

The court heard the girl's 40-minute ordeal began when Lavery approached her at a bus stop in Burnbank Road, followed her, then abducted her.

At one point he threatened to smash a Buckfast bottle into the schoolgirl's face and make her eat the broken glass. He also terrified the girl by grabbing her round the throat and threatening to stab her.

Two boys and a girl, all aged 13, saw Lavery trying to have sex with his victim and called the police. When officers arrived Lavery was still trying to rape the girl.

She was so terrified she couldn't speak and could only mouth the word help to the officers.

Lord Hardie heard that the young victim had planned to stay on in school until sixth year.

However, after Lavery's terrifying sex attack on her, she left - because she could not cope with everyone knowing what had happened to her.