A MAN who raped a teenage girl three times in one night has been jailed.

In April 2006, Mark David Hughes met the teenager through a mutual friend at a pub in Lewes Road, Brighton, which has since closed.

The 36-year-old, who was five years old than his victim at the time, took her to a series of open spaces in the area to commit the offences, before leaving her in Saunders Park.

When the teenager awoke, she made her way home “dishevelled and covered in mud”, Detective Constable Richie Danton said.

"The victim was severely traumatised by the terrible experience and kept it to herself until 2018 when she finally spoke to us,” he said.

“We immediately carried out enquiries and traced Hughes.

"He denied everything, but the case was strong and the victim's evidence in court was clearly key to his subsequent conviction.”

The Argus: Mark David Hughes Mark David Hughes

At Brighton Crown Court, Hughes was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Hughes, of Vernon Terrace, Brighton, will be a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Danton added: "We always follow up such reports, no matter from how long ago, to seek justice for victims wherever possible, and to ensure they have access to specialist support and advice."

Following an unrelated investigation at the same court hearing, Hughes also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and was given a six-month sentence to run concurrently with the nine-year sentence.

He pleaded not guilty to two charges of non-dwelling burglary. These were ordered to remain on the court file.