Sex attacker Paul Reynolds was today warned he faced a life sentence for brutally raping a woman early on New Year's Day.

The 24-year-old was returning from the festivities in the Old Steine, Brighton, when Reynolds, 35, raped her in the grounds of a day centre in Hove.

Reynolds, who was living rough in the Brighton area, was today found guilty of four charges of rape after a week-long trial at Lewes Crown Court.

Judge Richard Brown told him the offences were "so horrendous" that he had to consider whether a life sentence was appropriate.

He remanded Reynolds in custody until February 2 for psychiatric reports.

The jury today took an hour to find Reynolds guilty.

The 24-year-old victim was living in temporary accommodation in Hove at the time of the attack.

She had asked Reynolds the way back and he directed her through the grounds of the Aldrington Day Care Centre, off New Church Road.

The court heard Reynolds then attacked her, forced her to perform sexual acts and raped her four times.

The victim told the court it was the most degrading and painful experience of her life.

She said at one point her attacker asked her if she was enjoying it and told her to put more effort into it.

Reynolds was arrested after a huge publicity appeal for information including a feature on BBC's Crimewatch.

DNA tests proved he was the New Year rapist, the court heard.

He had told the jury he was not in the Hove area at the time of the attack. He said he had been in the Old Steine looking for money.