Do you recognise suspected Brighton rapist?

A woman from Brighton was raped after she ended up at a man’s home in the early hours of the morning.

The woman, who is in her fifties, was sitting in a shop doorway when the man first approached her.

After a brief chat, Sussex Police said that the man took her back to his home where he raped her. She then left his address and reported what happened to police.

Detectives have released a CCTV image of the man they would like to speak to about the rape which happened on Tuesday 23 April.

The victim said that she was approached by a man at about 3.40am as she sat in the doorway of the Sainsbury’s store in St James’s Street.

Detective Sergeant Dee Wells, from Brighton and Hove CID, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the victim who has been receiving help and support from specially trained officers.

“Extensive local inquiries and forensic examinations have been carried out since the rape was reported to us.

“Unfortunately, the victim has not been able to remember where exactly the rape took place but we believe the suspect may have been living in the Kemp Town area.

“I appreciate that the CCTV image is not the best quality but the man we would like to speak to, seen on the right hand side of the picture, is wearing a black baseball cap and a distinctive red and black American style college jacket, black jeans and black trainers.

“He is black and could be in his early twenties. The victim is seen with a blanket around her shoulders.

“If you were in the Kemp Town area that evening and saw a man and a woman fitting the above descriptions then please get in touch.”

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.