AN UNEMPLOYED man has been jailed after raping a teenage girl.

Reece Pettitt attacked his 17-year-old victim at a hostel in Horsham where they were both living at the time.

The 20-year-old invited himself into into her room where he began to make unwanted sexual approaches.

He ignored her repeated pleas to leave before carrying out the rape.

Detectives said Pettitt and victim barely knew each other.

Pettitt, of Charrington Way, Broadbridge Heath, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court following the incident in October 2015.

He will also be registered sex offender for life.

He was found not guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice in Crawley in April last year in relation to this case.

Detective Constable Nicky Beard said: “The victim in this case was vulnerable and showed real courage in reporting this matter and giving evidence at court.”