A man has been jailed after raping a woman on Brighton beach.

Lewes Crown Court heard how Przemyslaw Pogorzzelec forced himself upon the woman on July 31 and had taken intimate photographs of her on his mobile phone.

His attack was interrupted by the beach patrol and security from nearby venues.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told them she had not consented.

Pogorzzelec was then detained and arrested by officers.

The 43-year-old claimed he had chatted with the young woman and claimed he had consensual sex with her.

But when questioned by officers he could not remember her name, age, or anything about her.

Witnesses said she was not able to give consent.

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She was given support by specially-trained officers throughout the investigation.

At Lewes Crown Court on May 2, Pogorzzelec, a builder of no fixed address but formerly of an address in Hove, was found guilty of rape, and of sexual assault by penetration.

He was jailed for a total of 12 years, and an extended licence period of three years was also imposed.

Despite denying the offence, he was convicted by the jury after a trial in January.

At his sentencing hearing, it was revealed how Pogorzzelec was convicted in 2013 for exposure.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Ciara Richardson said: “The victim received support from our officers and showed great courage to give evidence in the trial.

“This was a fast-moving investigation where we gathered witness statements and footage which showed how Pogorzzelec had preyed on the young woman when she was alone on the beach.

“We are pleased that a dangerous offender is now in prison for these offences.”