A SUFFOLK pensioner has been placed on the sex offenders' register and banned from every sports stadium in England and Wales after he was convicted of sexually assaulting female football fans.

A SUFFOLK pensioner has been placed on the sex offenders' register and banned from every sports stadium in England and Wales after he was convicted of sexually assaulting female football fans.

Brian Lamb, 70, from Goodwood Close, Ipswich, rubbed up against female supporters at Colchester United's Layer Road.

This was despite already being banned for life from Cambridge United's ground for “inappropriate behaviour” towards women.

Harwich magistrates heard that he was caught in the act following a tip-off that he was acting suspiciously at Colchester United home games.

Lamb was put under observation by stewards at Layer Road who observed him rubbing his crotch against a woman's back in a sexual manner.

The court heard that one steward was so “horrified” by what Lamb was doing that he could not watch any further and had to intervene.

The former civil servant initially denied assaulted his 45-year-old victim at the Colchester v Leicester City game last November.

David Bryant, prosecuting, said: “When questioned by police, he said he simply bent down to pick up a bottle and his groin made contact with the lady's bottom.”

However a 26-year-old woman also told police the same thing happened to her in August at the first home game of the season against Barnsley.

Her mother had witnessed the incident and Lamb's victim later picked him out at an identification parade.

The prosecution claimed that he travelled from his Ipswich home to Colchester because fans still stood at Layer Road. Mr Bryant said it was easier for Lamb to target his victims on the terraces than at an all-seater ground such as Portman Road.

Lamb admitted two charges of sexual assault.

David Davies, mitigating, said the pensioner had acted “totally out of character” but realised he needed help to prevent it happening again. He also said he had no previous convictions, was terrified of going to prison and was ashamed of his behaviour.

Harwich magistrates decided not to jail him because of his age, previous good character and the support from his family. His wife and son were in court for the sentencing.

Lamb was put on a programme for sex offenders and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for five years. He was also banned from every sports stadium in England and Wales for three years and must pay £60 costs.

Marie Partner, Chief Executive at Colchester United Football Club, said: “We are pleased that this was brought to our attention by a supporter and pleased to follow it through to a satisfactory conclusion for everybody because we want to provide a safe environment for all people to come and watch football, regardless of age and gender.”