A rapist, robber and thief described as an "extremely predatory man" who "treated his victims like lumps of meat" has been jailed for 20 years. 

Louis Thomas, 35, unemployed, of Lower Rock Gardens, Brighton has been convicted of two rapes, a robbery and theft across the night of June 30 and into the early hours of July 1 last year.

On the night of June 30, 2013 Thomas approached a woman in her early 30s, a homeless woman, who was on the beach with friends and convinced her to leave with him offering her a place to shower and change. At his home in Lower Rock Gardens he then raped her.

After allowing her to leave, Thomas then went back out into the city where he found his next victim, a 21-year-old man from Brighton. This victim had been out with friends and had left to walk home alone. Thomas began walking with him before dragging him into his home and threatening him with a weapon before raping him. He then forced his victim to a nearby cash point to withdraw around £100 and stole his phone.

The victim immediately made his way to the police station where he reported what had happened.

Detective sergeant Emma Vickers said: "This has been a 14 month investigation and culminated in Thomas standing trial at Hove Crown Court and was found guilty for all three offences.

"Thomas is an extremely predatory man who picked vulnerable people as his victims, a homeless woman and a man who had been out drinking. He choose his victims thinking they wouldn't report his crimes to the police but how wrong he was. Both victims reported what had happened to them and gave accounts which led us to Thomas. They were extremely brave in speaking out and we were able to support them throughout the investigation and eventual trial. Officers have worked tirelessly to support the victims, who have had to go through the trial being rescheduled twice.

"In summing up the end of the trial Judge Rennie described him as a 'vicious and sadistic individual who treated his victims like lumps of meat' and a man who 'had no real regard for people' and a 'bare faced liar'. His sentence of 20 years is extremely satisfying and I would like to thank the victims unreservedly and to all my colleagues that were involved in helping to bring this man to justice."

Thomas was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on October 1.