A DOTING father of four who sexually attacked a woman was today starting a nine month jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Peter Roe, 54, struck after the victim had been drinking and fallen asleep and she woke to find him naked.

She thought the defendant was trying to have sex with her, pushed him off and told him: "No."

Roe, who has served a 15-month part suspended jail term for a previous offence of unlawful sexual intercourse, stopped and came to his senses when his wife appeared.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said he would give the defendant the benefit of the doubt that his behaviour would not have gone any further.

Roe, formerly of Wordsworth Close, Oswaldtwistle, had been convicted of indecent assault by a jury.

Tina Landale, prosecuting, said police were called and when Roe was arrested, he denied indecently assaulting the victim.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said both parties had been substantially affected by drink.

The offence was a "momentary and bizarre," piece of indecency but the results had been far reaching and serious.

Roe's behaviour had totally disrupted his family and had devastating consequences.

Immediately after the allegation was made, the defendant, a "model father and grandfather," had taken a lot of tablets in an attempt to kill himself and was found in a car in Blackpool by police.

Mr Baldwin said the defendant had been living in a bail hostel and whatever course the court took, he had had substantial punishment already.

Custody seemed inevitable and it would bear very hard on Roe, who had health problems. The lesson he had learned was that he should not have a lot to drink.