to six years in prison.

Musician Christopher Winslow Darrell, 28, of Sunnyside Park Lane, Southampton, admitted attempting to rape the girl at his home in July, 1991. He has agreed to undergo treatment to help control his sexual urges while he is in prison.

Prosecuting, Crown Counsel Mr. Steve Harrison said that the complainant was babysitting Darrell's three sons at his request.

Darrell returned home in the early hours of the morning and engaged the teenager in conversation until 6 a.m. She then fell asleep.

Mr. Harrison said that the girl was woken by Darrell who had his tongue in her ear. He then tried to force her to kiss him.

Mr. Harrison said: "She was so frightened that she froze and lay still. She asked him to stop.'' Darrell pushed the girl down and pulled down her shorts and underpants to her knees. Mr. Harrison said that, at this stage, the girl was crying.

The defendant released her and as she was trying to get dressed he pushed her back onto a bed and again removed her shorts and underpants.

Mr. Harrison said that Darrell pressed against the girl but there was no penetration.

He said: "She told him to stop and said that she was a virgin and not ready to have sex.'' He added: "This is not something that is out of character. It is a fundamental part of his character. We must take into account public safety.'' Defending, Mr. Philip Perinchief said that social inquiry and psychiatric reports said that Darrell needed treatment for a condition called "toucherism'' which results in his inability to control his urges.

Mr. Perinchief asked that any prison sentence be kept to between 18 months and two years during which time Darrell could get treatment, including hormone treatment.

Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward said: "Young men have to be careful about precocious tendencies because these are the ones that get them into trouble.'' Mr. Perinchief said that he felt that a long period of incarceration would be counterproductive to his client. He questioned how far the girl consented to Darrell's advances. Mr. Harrison said that it was the Crown's case that he pushed himself onto her.

Mr. Justice Ward said: "He was 27 and in a position of trust. She was 16.

This was a serious act.''