THREE brave youngsters helped stop a rape by calling police and then directing them to the scene of the attack.

Officers found unemployed Mark Lavery on top of his victim after being alerted by two boys and a girl, one of whom had dialled 999 on his mobile.

The victim had been ignored by passing cars as she tried to make a dash for it and another witness had walked away after Lavery had told him: "We're fine mate."

But when the three youngsters, aged around 13, saw the attack they called police, flagged down the officers' car and directed them to the lane where the attack was happening.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lord Hardie praised the trio, saying: "There is a lot of criticism about the younger generation, but it is really commendable these youngsters reacted responsibly in this way in what must have been a difficult situation."

Lavery, 32, whose address was given as c/o Barlinnie Prison, admitted attempting to rape the 16-year-old girl in Hamilton on April 2 last year.

The court heard he had ambushed the girl on Wellhall Road, thrown her into bushes, sat on top of her and put his hands round her neck.

He told her to be quiet and threatened to smash a Buckfast bottle into her face and force her to eat the glass.

The girl managed to break free twice, during which time she was ignored by passing cars and knocked on the door of a house, where no-one answered.

Lavery then took the girl to a lane off Daer Way where he threatened to slash her.

It was then the youngsters contacted police.

When asked by officers what he was doing, Lavery replied: "What does it look like. I'm having sex with my girlfriend."

The girl mouthed the word "help" and Lavery was detained.

Lord Hardie ordered a psychological report and deferred sentence on Lavery until next month.