A SEX beast who indecently assaulted and punched a 15-year-old girl after dragging her off the street has received a cut in his sentence at the Appeal Court.

Twenty-two-year-old Gareth John Beswick, of Murdishaw, Runcorn, was jailed for five years at Warrington Crown Court in May after pleading guilty to indecent assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was ordered to serve a 15-month extended licence period.

But Lord Justice Rose, sitting with Mr Justice Goldring and Mr Justice Mackay at London's Appeal Court, cut Beswick's sentence to three-and-a-half years - ruling the original term was 'manifestly excessive.'

The judge said Beswick had carried out the 'monstrous and inexcusable' attack on the evening of October 10 last year as the schoolgirl made her way home from a meeting in Runcorn.

He grabbed his victim from behind and dragged her into a field where he asked her if she was a virgin.

Beswick then punched the girl, and told her he would 'rather rape her than kill her,' clamping his hand over her mouth to prevent her screaming.

The perverted sex attacker then ordered the schoolgirl to undo her belt - saying 'he would kill her' if she failed to comply with his warped desires.

However, the petrified teenager managed to escape Beswick's clutches, and fled screaming from the field, when she managed to alert passers-by to her plight.

Beswick was arrested the following day after clear DNA evidence linking him to the attack was analysed by forensic teams.

However, lawyers for Beswick argued the five-year jail term was 'manifestly excessive' in view of his age and previous good character.

And ruling the jail term should be cut to three-and-a-half years, Lord Justice Rose said: 'In our view these were grave offences of their kind. However, this was a conviction falling short of attempted rape, let alone rape, and in the circumstances we have come to the conclusion that a custodial term of three-and-half years would be appropriate.'

The judge increased Beswick's extended licence period to 18 months. If he reoffends after this, he may be recalled to prison.