A DAD has been convicted of attempting to rape a 17-year-old girl in court today.

William Thomas, 29, of Macklin Road, attempted to rape a girl in Mill Lane, Stratford sub Castle, on June 1.

When police arrested and searched him, the father of two young children was found carrying a serrated knife.

Thomas pleaded guilty to charges of attempted rape and carrying a bladed article but denied assaulting the girl, causing her actual bodily harm, with the intention of committing a sexual offence at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday, October 27.

Robert Welling, prosecuting, said the attempted rape charge was the "most serious" and the assault charge was a direct alternative if Thomas pleaded not guilty.

Salisbury Journal: Thomas was arrested here, on Mill Lane.Thomas was arrested here, on Mill Lane. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Edmund Blackman, defending, said his client was experiencing "signs of mental distress" before he attempted to rape the girl.

Thomas' wife told police that he had been self-harming.

Mr Blackman said: "[Thomas is a] previous good character which makes this offending so peculiar."

His Honour Judge Richard Parkes KC said: "It's certainly a very strange and unusual case."

Judge Parkes ordered Thomas to complete a pre-sentencing report with the Probation Service and co-operate with a psychiatric report.

Thomas, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt, will be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on December 22.

He was remanded in custody until this date.