A MAN recognised as the perpetrator of sex assaults on a vulnerable woman in 2018, has also been convicted over similar incidents committed more than four decades earlier.

Robert Thompson, 64, who has a rape conviction from his teenage years, is now starting a six-year jail period, with a four-year extended licence period, as he is considered a danger of committing further similar offences.

The extended sentence was imposed by Judge James Adkin, at Durham Crown Court, after Thompson, of Grampian Avenue, Chester-le-Street, admitted four counts of indecent assault, relating to the “historic” offences, and two of sexual assault, arising from street attacks in the town, in 2018.

Robin Patton, prosecuting, said one of the victims of the older offences, who had never previously reported them, came forward in response to a police appeal over sexual assaults on a woman with learning difficulties, in Bridge Street, Chester-le-Street, in October 2018.

She identified the man described in the appeal as Thompson and went on to inform officers of the crimes committed against her by the defendant.

Imposing sentence, Judge Adkin told the court an aggravating feature of the case was that apart from his teenage rape conviction, Thompson has other offences of indecent assault on his record.

He said in his view Thompson poses “a significant risk” of committing further similar offences and, therefore, can only be considered for parole after serving at least four years in prison.

Thompson is now subject of registration as a sex offender and restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both for life.