A sex predator who attacked a 15-year-old girl near her home has been jailed for more than two years.

Marcus Donald, 25, followed the teenager off a bus in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, before attacking her just a short distance from her home.

The girl's father heard her screams and intervened, leading to Donald's arrest.

Donald, a first offender, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rape and was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lord Burns jailed him for two years and four months, with an additional two years of supervision upon his release.

"You carried out a terrifying attack on a 15-year-old girl at night," Lord Burns said. "You resorted to violence to try and rape her. It was fortunate her parents were close by and could go to her assistance."

Donald will also be on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

The attack occurred on May 25 after the girl had been out with friends. Donald, who was on the same bus, asked for the girl's number, but she ignored him.

When the girl got off the bus, Donald followed her. She tried to walk faster, but he grabbed her and pushed her to the ground.

The teenager pleaded with Donald, shouting "please don't," as he pulled at her leggings. She screamed for her parents, who were just two minutes away.

Donald punched the girl, who continued to cry for help. Her parents heard her and rushed outside. The girl's father saw Donald standing over his daughter, attempting to pull at her leggings.

"He shouted at Donald, who then ran off," said prosecutor Jim Keegan QC.

The schoolgirl was described as extremely frightened following the ordeal.

Donald was later identified from CCTV footage, where he was seen near the girl on the bus. It was also discovered he had called a taxi after the attack. The driver recalled him being breathless as he got into the cab.

Lord Burns said the sentence would have been three and a half years, but for the guilty plea.