A TEENAGE barmaid was the victim of a nasty sex assault by a foot-and-mouth worker as she walked to her Worcester home, a court was told.

Her attacker Carl Murray yesterday admitted indecent assault when he appeared at Droitwich Magistrates Court.

The 20-year-old, who had been employed in the Government's destruction of carcases in the foot-and-mouth outbreak, approached the girl in north Worcester at 1am on Monday.

"He asked her if she had change for a pound but appeared to be under the influence of alcohol," said Mark Soper, prosecuting.

"He told her he was down from Liverpool, working in Worcester and asked for a cigarette.

"He then pulled her towards him and tried to kiss her.

"She tried to resist. He apologised and walked away."

Murray, who is staying at St Paul's Hostel in Tallow Hill, then ran after her, grabbed her round the shoulders, held her throat and tried to kiss her again, added Mr Soper.

At this point the court heard the girl was screaming at him.

"He then grabbed her between the legs and attempted to pull her to the floor," said Mr Soper.

The petrified victim was screaming and punching Murray and calling to her housemates who were nearby.

She managed to escape his clutches and call the police who picked Murray up.

Rob McCrory, defending, backed up magistrates' calls for pre-sentence reports.

"He has no convictions of a similar nature to this," he said.

"He's extremely rattled to have found himself bounced up before the criminal justice system.

"He realises he faces a potential custodial sentence."

Mr McCrory said Murray had been sacked from his job of burning dead animals from the foot-and-mouth disaster as a result of the incident.

The case was adjourned to Friday, May 18, for reports to be prepared.

Murray was granted conditional bail.