Man on day release denies rape

A convicted murderer sexually assaulted a teenage girl while on day release from a prison, a court has heard.

David Lant, 61, from Norwich, was serving a life sentence at Hollesley Bay open prison in Suffolk when he committed the attack, prosecutors said.

At Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday Lant denied attempted rape and sexual assault of a 16-year-old.

The girl, now 18, told the court that Lant had assaulted her in a caravan at Thurston, Suffolk, in October 2004.

Lant said the girl agreed to take part in sexual activity.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he threatened her with a knife and she was frightened.

"He was threatening me and I was crying and he touched me without my consent," she said.

Prosecutors told the court that Lant was nearing the end of his sentence and was leaving prison to work in a hostel in Ipswich to help him re-integrate into society.