A north Wales man who tried to abduct a teenage girl as she walked alone along a country lane has escaped a prison sentence.

Chester Crown Court heard that Barry Rosedale, from Wrexham, could not explain why he had tried to abduct the 14-year-old.

The incident happened as the girl was walking home last May.

A car stopped in front of her and Barry Rosedale from Rhostyllen got out and asked the girl to go with him.

She began to turn away but as she did he grabbed her by the arm.

He only let her go when she began screaming.

'Blanked out'

Police traced Rosedale through his car but in an interview he claimed he had blanked out during the incident.

Rosedale was given a three-year probation order after the judge heard he had a previous good record and was extremely remorseful.

Judge Roger Dutton said a prison sentence would probably do him more harm than good.