A TEENAGER told a jury how she bit a man's hand after he tried to drag her down an Elland lane in the early hours of the morning.

The tearful 19-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, gave evidence via a television link as she relived the night she was allegedly attacked by bank worker Paul Burns.

The teenager, who had been drinking in Halifax until the early hours, was on her way home after failing to get an answer at her cousin’s when she was approached by Burns near to The Barge and Barrel pub.

The complainant alleged that the 31-year-old, of Valley Mill, Park Road, Elland, put his arm around her waist, despite efforts to shrug him off.

In a video-recorded statement given to police she said the man told her his name was Paul and he claimed to have had a row with his girlfriend.

The teenager said at one stage the man suggested they go down a lane and make love, but she started to run away.

The prosecution allege that Burns then caught up with the teenager and tried to drag her down Gas Works Lane, but she slipped on some ice.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday (THURS) that while she was flat on her back Burns leaned over the teenager and held her arms.

"I was shouting get off, go away and started to scream and he put his hand over my mouth," she told police.

The teenager said she bit his hand and the man stepped back and called her "a weirdo" before running away.

Burns has denied charges of assault and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence in relation to the incident with the teenager in February this year.

Under cross-examination it was put to the teenager that her recollection of the conversation between them was vague and that incident was inappropriate chatting up.

Although the teenager accepted that Burns had not touched her private parts she maintained that he had put his hand over her mouth because she was wasn't being quiet.

She said the man seemed shocked that she had actually bitten him and fought back.

Burns has pleaded not guilty to a series of offences relating to alleged sexually-motivated incidents involving three prostitutes and other women including the teenager.

The offences, which include false imprisonment and sexual assault, are alleged to have been committed between March 2008 and February this year.

The trial continues.