A man has been charged with raping a woman multiple times in her home after meeting her on a dating website.

Mark Grout has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration after meeting the woman in her home in Rother October 2021.

A Sussex Police spokesman said that Grout is alleged to have met the woman, aged in her 40s, on a dating website in October 2021.

They are said to have exchanged messages before meeting at the woman's home in Rother on October 9. 

Once inside, Grout is accused of raping the woman multiple times before she was able to escape.

Grout, 49, of Stanwell Moor in Surrey was arrested and subsequently charged.

Sussex Police Detective Constable Mark Smith said: “I would like to thank the victim in this investigation for coming forward and supporting our enquiries.

“If you are a victim of a sexual offence, please report it to the police. We will listen to you, we will support you and we will do all we can to get you justice.”

Grout appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court yesterday and was released on bail to appear at a crown court to be determined on July 5.