May 2017 Man jailed for attempted rape in Oxford A serial child abuser has been jailed for the attempted rape of a teenager 31 years ago. Balaclava-clad Philip Spriggs, 52, jumped out of bushes and grabbed the 13-year-old as she walked home near Pullens Lane, Oxford, in January 1986. He dragged her to woods nearby and attempted to rape her, but she escaped. Spriggs, who was jailed for 17 years in 2015 for sex offences against two children, was given another 12-year term. His latest sentence will run consecutively. A jury at Oxford Crown Court found him guilty of one count of attempted rape. He was serving at HMP Wood Hill when Thames Valley Police reopened the investigation into the 1986 attack. Susan Krikler, senior crown prosecutor, said the result was down to “scientific developments and the courage of the victim”. She added: “I commend her for her bravery. 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.” Pete Beirne, head of the Thames Valley Police major crime review team, said: “Following the emergence of new DNA evidence last year, officers were able to identify Spriggs as a suspect. “I hope the victim feels that justice has been done now that this dangerous offender will have no prospect of freedom for many years.” Spriggs was previously found guilty of a total of 20 charges, including 11 counts of rape committed over seven years between 2007 and 2014. Sex offender convicted of attempting to rape schoolgirl A SEX offender already behind bars has been convicted of trying to rape a schoolgirl more than 30 years ago. Philip Spriggs barely flinched as jurors at Oxford Crown Court unanimously convicted him of attempting to rape the teenager on January 30, 1986, after less than one hour deliberating. Speaking after the jury delivered its verdict on Thursday, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: “This [woman] needs to know that you will receive punishment for the awful thing you did to her. “It has lived with her until her 40s and I intend to add to the custodial sentence you are serving.” 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 on 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, will be sentenced next week. June 2015 Man sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for child sex offences A man has been sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to 17 years in prison for 20 sex offences against children. Philip Spriggs, aged 51, of Oxford, was found guilty by jury after a week and a half trial. He was found guilty of: Eight counts of rape for which he was sentenced to 17 years in prison each, to be served concurrently; Three counts of rape of a child under 13 for which he was sentenced to 17 years in prison for each, to be served concurrently; One count of attempted rape of a child under 13 for which he was sentenced to 17 years in prison, to be served concurrently; One count of sexual assault of a child under 13 for which he was sentenced to three years in prison, to be served concurrently; One count of sexual assault for which he was sentenced to three years in prison, to be served concurrently; Two counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration for which he was sentenced to eight years in prison and 11 years in prison, to be served concurrently; Two counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity for which he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for each count, to be served concurrently; One count of assault by penetration for which he was sentenced to eight years in prison, to be served concurrently; One count of making indecent photos (found guilty by unanimous jury) for which he was sentenced to one year in prison, to be served concurrently. Spriggs was given an additional seven years on licence, and was placed on the sex offenders register for life. The offences took place between 2007 and 2014 in Oxford. Spriggs was arrested on 23 October 2014 and charged the following day.