A man accused of rape was described in court as a charming ladies' man.

William Steward, 24, an unemployed window cleaner of no fixed address, has denied four charges of rape at a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

He is accused of forcing his way into a 25-year-old businesswoman's room at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton on November 8 at 4am last year.

The woman, an IT consultant, has said he threatened to kill her during a two-hour ordeal in the £75-a-night room.

Steward has told the jury he met the woman, who he believed was a prostitute, in West Street and she gave him her hotel room number.

He said he had a one-night stand with her and accused her of lying about being raped because he told her she was no good at sex.

The court heard Steward had arrived in Sussex days before his arrest after fleeing London because he was attacked by drug dealers he owed money to.

He moved in with his childhood friend Karl Hance, who lives in Lewes.

Mr Hance, a doorman at a bar in West Street, told the court he had seen Steward talking to a woman believed to be the alleged victim.

He said: "I saw him chatting her up. I asked him if he had any luck. He replied he was not interested because he thought she might be a prostitute.

"He said she was staying at the Hilton Metropole and I said she must be good because it is a luxury hotel."

Mr Hance said Steward had been successful with women and had many pretty girlfriends.

He said: "I have known him to have quite a few girlfriends and one-night stands.

"He is a bit of a charmer. I have never known him to abuse a woman in any way."

Steward's sister Jamie Stewart, told the court her brother had never had a problem with women.

She said: "He is very friendly. A bit of a ladies' man.

"He was always chatting women up. He has had lots of girlfriends or girls fancying him."

The trial continues.