A SEX offender was last night back behind bars for another offence, which he committed more than 30 years ago.Simon Lappin, 53, who has already served a 28-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, admitted carrying out another assault on another young girl back in the 1970s.

A SEX offender was last night back behind bars for another offence, which he committed more than 30 years ago.

Simon Lappin, 53, who has already served a 28-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, admitted carrying out another assault on another young girl back in the 1970s.

He was arrested after the victim finally found the courage to come forward.

In an impact statement, Norwich Crown Court heard the abuse had a “significant effect” on the victim's life and her relationships with men.

Lappin, formerly of Lyndhurst Road, Lowestoft, admitted three indecent assaults on the girl, who cannot be named.

The court heard he had also received a caution for indecent assault on another girl back in the 1970s.

Judge Paul Downes said it was an unusual case in that Lappin had already served time for sex assaults he committed in 2006 and since then had served a sentence and undergone a treatment programme for sex offenders.

The judge told him: “It would be quite wrong for you to escape punishment, however much time has passed by.”

He jailed Lappin for 18 months and also made a sexual offences prevention order under which he must have no unsupervised contact with any female under 16.

Lappin was also made to register as a sex offender for another 10 years. He is already banned for life from working with children.

Stephen Spence, for Lappin, said he had undergone the treatment programme and was now considered at low or medium risk of reoffending.