An Irvine sex attacker who was released early from prison is back behind bars after admitting to fighting with another man.

Ryan Douglas was sentenced to four months in jail after engaging in a fight in Green Street, Saltcoats on August 12 this year.

Sex offender Douglas was jailed in May 2015 for six years for the attempted rape of a schoolgirl.

The sick 28-year-old grabbed his victim in broad daylight as she walked along Bank Street held her in a headlock and pulled her by the hair into bushes.

The 17-year-old fought back and a woman who was out with her young son heard her screaming and shouting: “Help me, help me, somebody please help me.”

When the woman went to investigate, she saw Douglas, of Green Steet, Saltcoats, pushing the victim against a tree with his arm around her neck.

The teenager said: “Please help me I don’t know this man.” But Douglas told the woman: “She’s only joking. It’s just a joke.”

He ran off after two cyclists also intervened and chased him. Police tracked him down to a house in Irvine where they found him hiding under a pile of clothes.

The court heard how Douglas, who has previous convictions for violence, possession of offensive weapons and anti-social behaviour, had been drinking following a funeral before going on to a party.