Twelve people were prosecuted for gay hate crimes in Sussex last year, according to the first publication of Crown Prosecution Service records.

Six of those taken to court by Crown Prosecutors pleaded guilty and two more were found guilty but the cases of the other four were discontinued.

The statistics, for the year to March 2005, were released alongside national figures for prosecutions of crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender victims.

They showed there were a total of 225 convictions for homophobic offences and another 92 unsuccessful prosecutions.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC, said the statistics demonstrated that prejudice against homosexuals remained.

Experts believe up to 75 per cent of gay hate offences go unreported even though 60 per cent of offenders plead guilty once prosecuted.

Out of 317 prosecutions last year, 190 entered guilty pleas and 34 were found guilty. Only four cases were acquitted by a jury.

Mr Macdonald said: "While these figures sadly show there remains prejudice in our society, I hope they also show an increased confidence in the CPS so that victims come forward and report attacks, despite fears they may have."