A MAN has been jailed for attempting to sexually assault a woman in her 70s.

Kaspars Grikis has been a registered sex offender for five years since sexually assaulting four women in a supermarket in Crawley in 2020.

The 38-year-old admitted the attempted sexual touching of the elderly woman near his home on July 22 this year.

Crawley Magistrates’ Court heard that he had approached the woman, who he didn’t know, and tried to engage her in conversation. He then touched and attempted to kiss her.

She resisted and police were informed.

Grikis, of Clappers Gate, Crawley, was given a 12-month prison sentence and will be on the sex offenders' register for another five years.

The Argus: Kaspars Grikis, of Clappers Gate, Crawley Kaspars Grikis, of Clappers Gate, Crawley

He was also given a restraining order to last until further notice, prohibiting him from any contact with the woman.

Police Constable Mat Wyatt said: "Grikis has already been a registered sex offender for five years following his conviction in June 2020 for sexual assaults on four women at a supermarket in Crawley.

“The new five-year requirement imposed on August 2 will make him subject to our supervision for a total of ten years from 2020.

"When the incident was reported in July we took prompt action to protect the victim by ensuring this persistent offender was brought back before the court, who have now given him the maximum custodial sentence for this offending, taking him off the streets, and imposing further restrictions on his conduct."