A man has been jailed for nearly four years for the attempted rape of a woman in the west end of Glasgow.

Steven Arnold, 43, grabbed the 37-year-old student from behind in Kelvingrove Park with a hand over her mouth and pushed her towards trees.

He struggled with her and pushed her to the ground before she was able to let out a scream.

Arnold ran off from the park on May 30, 2014, and ditched a rucksack he had with him.

He never disputed being the woman's attacker, claiming he was trying to rob her of her mobile phone and there was no sexual element.

The jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court convicted Arnold of assault with intent to rape. He previously admitted failing to turn up to court.

Arnold's victim told the court she could not leave the house for weeks after the attack and is now "scared of her own shadow".

In evidence, the woman told the court she was filming the spire of Glasgow University from the park when Arnold grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth.

He put a hand on her breast and pushed her from the path towards nearby trees.

She struggled with him and tried to turn round to look at him and removed his hand from her mouth. Eventually she managed to scream and he ran off up the hill.

The victim broke down as she recalled her ordeal and told the jury: "Honestly, I think it was an attempt to rape me."

The suggestion was put to her that he was trying to steal her phone - which was on full view because she had it up in front of her to film.

She told the court: "If he was a thief he'd just take my phone and run away."

Procurator fiscal depute Mark Allan told jurors: "She described the way his hand was placed over her mouth, something he did repeatedly she said as she struggled and tried to remove it.

"This act was an obvious attempt by him to silence her you may conclude - but why if this was a robbery and his intention to take the phone."

Sheriff Sam Cathcart told Arnold: "She has required help from a psychologist. Because of the nature of the charge and your record, a custodial sentence is the only appropriate method of dealing with you."

He jailed Arnold for a total of three years and nine months and ordered an extended sentence of three years meaning he will be supervised in the community after his release.

Arnold was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.