A WOMAN woke in the middle of the night to find a man standing at the foot of her bed, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Paul Griffiths lay down on the bed next to Bethan Chamberlain, who was naked under the sheets, put his arm around her and asked for a kiss. Despite being terrified, the woman kept calm and asked Griffiths for some clothes to put on.

Griffiths told her they were going to his place and, although she was frightened, she agreed. Once outside the woman said she was hungry, hoping Griffiths would take her somewhere public where she could escape or get help.

They walked to a nearby service station in Albert Road, Farnworth, where she managed to attract the attention of a man being served who helped her to escape in his car.

The police tracked down Griffiths after the service station assistant said he had paid for sweets earlier with a cheque.

Griffiths, aged 25, of St Germaine Street, Farnworth, who admitted burglary, appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday for sentence. Judge William Morris jailed him for three years for the incident, which happened in the early hours of December 18 last year.

The court heard that Griffiths had been very drunk and thought that his drinks might have been spiked.

Prosecutor Mr Paul Treble said that Bethan awoke to find a man standing at the end of her bed. He said he had got into the house through the door.

When Griffiths said: "You're frightened aren't you?" She denied it even she was very scared, especially when she saw he was wearing latex gloves.

They walked to the service station on Albert Road in Farnworth where a man was being served at the kiosk hatch.

She mouthed the word "help" and ran into his car to escape.

When police arrested the defendant at his home on suspicion of burglary he declined to comment.