A SEX offender already behind bars has been jailed for trying to rape a schoolgirl more than 30 years ago.

Philip Spriggs was today handed a 12-year jail term after jurors unanimously convicted him of attempting to rape the teenager on January 30, 1986.

Pete Beirne, head of the Thames Valley Police's major crime review team, said: "This case highlights that no matter how much time has passed the force's major crime review team will continue to investigate historic crimes, make arrests and charge individuals to bring them to justice.

"Thames Valley Police officers carried out a thorough investigation at the time of the offence, but no arrests were made. However, following the emergence of new DNA evidence last year, officers were able to identify Spriggs as a suspect. 

"Subsequently, Spriggs was arrested and charged with the offence on 19 October last year.

"Spriggs, who is already in jail for a string of sexual offences, will now face a further 12 years in custody.

"I hope the victim feels that justice has now been done now that this dangerous offender will have no prospect of freedom for many years."

Spriggs, formerly of Hillsale Piece, Littlemore, Oxford, was previously jailed for 17 years and handed a seven-year extended licence period after being convicted of a spate of sex offences in 2015.

The 52-year-old faced trial last Tuesday more than 30 years after a report was made to police following a review of the case.

Jurors were told the sex offender’s DNA was placed on a database after his 2015 conviction, enabling police to ‘match’ it with samples taken from the girl’s clothing at the time.

They heard Spriggs, now at HMP Woodhill, hid in bushes before pouncing on his victim as she walked through a wooded area near Headington’s Pullens Lane.

He dragged her to the floor, pinned her down and put his hand over her mouth as he tried to assault her.

Spriggs, who lived in Stanway Road, Oxford, at the time, and denied the offence.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Spriggs is a serial predator who will be spending longer behind bars thanks to the tremendous courage of his victim.

“Abuse ruins lives so it is absolutely vital that all survivors know they will be listened to when they speak out no matter how much time has passed since the offences took place."

Senior Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Susan Krikler commended the victim for her bravery and warned perpetrators are 'never safe from justice'.

She added: "Time has not diminished the effect this incident has had on the victim's life. She has waited 31 long years for today's result.

"I hope that the conviction and today's sentence will offer some comfort to her after all these years."