A sex attacker laughed at the woman he attempted to rape as she screamed out in distress during the assault.
Liam Cronin's victim began screaming and crying during the horrifying ordeal in the summer of 2017.
A court heard how the offender responded to this by 'laughing at her', as reported by Chronicle Live.
Prosecutor Vince Ward told Newcastle Crown Court how the victim managed to fight off Cronin, but added: "Their struggle continued until she screamed and started to cry.
"His response to that was to laugh at her so she screamed louder and eventually he stopped and apologised."
Following the failed attack, the court heard how Cronin then carried out a sex act on himself.
The victim said in a statement: "I am always looking over my shoulder.
"I don't enjoy summertime anymore. It happened in summer and every summer makes me think about what happened to me.
"My self confidence has totally gone.
"I wonder if I will ever fully recover."
Cronin, 33, of Trafalgar Road, Sulgrave, Washington, pleaded guilty to attempted rape on the day he was due to face trial.
Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to four-and-a-half years behind bars.
The judge said: "She had indicated to you clearly she wasn't receptive to your advances and it is her perfect right to say she didn't want to engage in sexual activity and you should have followed her wishes, as she stated them to
be."
Judge Gittins added: "She became very distressed, understandably and she screamed and cried.
"You laughed at her."
Cronin must sign the sex offenders register for life.
Lee Fish, defending, said Cronin has never offended seriously in the past, has been in no trouble since and has no other convictions relating to women.
Mr Fish said Cronin has struggled to accept what he did but added: "He now understands he did commit the offence but recognises the harm he has caused."
