A STREET sex attacker assaulted an unconscious woman in Greenock town centre as shocked witnesses called police THREE times during the 25-minute ordeal.

Patrick Duffy knelt over his victim and then lay beside her as he was overheard using a number of disgusting and unprintable terms.

The town's sheriff court was told how one eyewitness described the woman as being 'totally out of it' when Duffy, 39, groped her breasts and buttocks.

He committed the appalling offences after taking the 38-year-old woman out on a date to pubs on Cathcart Street on October 18 last year.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said: "The accused and the complainer were known to each other as friends and they arranged to meet at the James Watt pub.

"She had five wines and he had five lagers during the course of the evening.

"While in Lithgows Bar she went outside for a cigarette and went back inside, and she has no further recollection of events."

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife added: "They were seen leaving at 9.56pm and there were four females in the vicinity.

"These witnesses saw the complainer lying on the ground with a male kneeling over her.

"The witnesses thought the male was trying to help her until they heard him name her and say, 'I'm sleeping with a wee girl'.

"Due to the complainer's incapacity and the comments heard, one of the female witnesses contacted police.

"She carried on watching and the accused was now lying next to the woman, who was unconscious, and he attempted to wrap his arms around her in the 'spooning' position.

"Witnesses again contacted the police because they were so concerned."

The court heard how Duffy then dragged the woman to her feet and she was 'unable to stand unaided'.

He proceeded to place his hands down the rear of her trousers and touched her buttocks area before lifting up her top and fondling her breasts.

Police were then called for a third time by the witnesses but Duffy was away in a taxi with his victim by the time officers arrived.

However, they were told of the direction the cab had taken and intercepted it on Roxburgh Street at its junction with Trafalgar Street.

Because of a cut above his left eye, Duffy was initially taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital where he 'kicked off', the court was told.

He shouted a derogatory remark about the Queen and chanted: "IRA all the way."

When cautioned and charged he said: "The more I say the more I get into bother."

He made no reply to the sexual offences charge.

Sentence on Duffy, of Buccleugh Street, has been deferred until July 24 for reports.