A 22-YEAR-OLD man who attempted to rape a woman in Hexham has been jailed for seven years.

George Manu was put behind bars on Friday after he was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Manu, originally from Romania, was living at Millfield Court in Hexham, and met the victim at Donnies nightclub on Priestpopple last August.

After giving her boyfriend money to go and buy drinks, he sexually assaulted her at a table and then attempted to rape her after following her to the female toilets.

During the trial, the court heard Manu deny both charges and claim the woman had beckoned him to follow her into the toliets.

However, his version of events was rejected by the jury and Judge Robert Spragg.

The court was told the car wash worker had no previous convictions and had worked in Romania, Norway and Germany before coming to the UK.

Judge Spragg said he would automatically be deported back to his home country after serving his prison sentence.