A MAN has been charged with raping a teenage boy at a Hove leisure centre.

The 14-year-old was attacked in the toilets at the King Alfred Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoon.

Police said the boy was severely shocked. He is now being supported by trained professionals.

Detectives are now urging a couple who they believe may have useful information without realising it to come forward.

The man and woman were in the reception area of the leisure centre and the man went into the toilets just after 2.10pm while the woman waited on a settee.

He came out a few moments later and the couple left the centre together.

They were both white, and in their thirties or forties. The man had brown hair and was a three-quarter length brown jacket, and the woman had long brown hair.

Detective Inspector Jason Hazzard, of Sussex Police, said: "Without realising it, this couple, who we emphasise are regarded solely as potential witnesses, may have valuable information.

"We ask them to contact us, and we also ask anyone else who has information which they think may help our investigation to get in touch with us."

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Sussex Police using the online form at sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal/or call 101, quoting Operation Abbeywood.

Nicholas Gully, 47, a self-employed psychotherapist based in Hove, of Eley Crescent, Rottingdean, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with the rape of the teenager the same day.

He appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on March 1.