AN ILLEGAL immigrant who carried out a double sex attack has been brought to justice - thanks to the Lancashire Telegraph.

Accrington landlord Carl Marland realised that the description of John Nnanna printed in the paper matched that of a customer.

Nnanna, a 26-year-old Nigerian of no fixed address, was jailed for two and a half years by a judge at Preston Crown Court.

He had denied two offences of sexual assault, but was found guilty after a trial.

After the case, Mr Marland, landlord of the Warners Arms, Warner Street, Accrington, said: "I remembered the night that the girl had been attacked.

"The description in the Telegraph was very clear and I thought it sounded familiar.

"John Nnanna had been coming in the pub for a few weeks.

"When he walked in wearing the same clothes as those in the description I knew it was him, he just stood out."

Mr Marland, who has worked in the pub industry for over 15 years, continued: "In this business it's not just about running a pub it's about being observant and knowing your customers."

He tipped off police and Nnanna was caught by a doorman before he could flee the pub.

However, he managed to break free from police officers and was chased to La-De-Dars night club, where another bouncer who had heard about his escape on his walkie talkie was able to catch him again.

He had been in this country no more than three months when he carried out his crimes in the early hours of October 16 last year.

A jury heard how an 18-year-old girl was going to meet her boyfriend in Accrington town centre when Nnanna approached her in the street and tried to start talking to her.

He pushed her up against a shop window, pinned her there and sexually assaulted her.

The girl managed to stamp on his foot and run away. But the defendant went on to catch up with her and grab her again and carry out the second offence.

She managed to run away, to her boyfriend on the KwikSave car park.

Nnanna claimed at his trial that he was trying to leave the pub because he didn't like the music that was playing.

He denied being responsible for the sex offences, claiming he had not been there, it was not him and that he had been in bed at the time.

The girl went on to identify him as the attacker.

Nnanna had no previous convictions.

After the jury's verdict, defence counsel Kathryn Johnson said he had come to this country, looking to improve his business position.

But others, who had funded part of the trip, let him down.

He was left isolated in Manchester, homeless and with no money.

Judge Stuart Baker recommended that Nnanna be deported when released from prison.

He also banned him from working with children and directed that he sign the sex offenders register.