A RAPIST who forced a woman into his flat before attacking her has been jailed for 15 years.

He attacked a 21-year-old who was walking home along Oxford Street, off London Road, in the early hours of November 28 last year.

She encountered Sam Kesete, 21, a student and part-time shop worker, of Canterbury Drive, Brighton, who forced her into his nearby flat.

He raped her before eventually allowing her to leave, walking with her to her own home.

At the time, officers had been searching for Kesete over the sexual assault of another woman outside a nightclub at Kings Road Arches, Brighton, on September 18.

Detective Constable Elaine Welsh of the Brighton safeguarding investigations unit said: "Kesete had been with friends and a group of other people outside a nightclub on Brighton seafront when he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old girl who was a member of that group.

"She and others immediately challenged him and he was ejected from the club.

"Officers had been searching for him since then and the good description of the assailant in November was clearly a potential link to the first assault.

"The second victim was also able to identify the flat as being in the same area we already thought Kesete was living, and this, coupled with swift police work including door-to-door enquiries, enabled us to make an early arrest and take Kesete off the streets.

"Investigating such offences is a top priority for us, as well as ensuring that victims receive specialist support.

"The victim of Kesete's attack in November has been very brave and has supported our investigation throughout, but this has had a major impact on her which will clearly be long lasting."

Kesete was sentenced to a total of 15 years imprisonment when he appeared at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, June 24.

He had admitted at an earlier hearing of two counts of rape against a 21-year-old woman in his flat on 28 November and of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman by touching at Kings Road Arches on September 18.

He will have to serve at least ten years before being considered for release on supervised licence, and even if released before serving 15 years will have to serve a further six years on licence.

Kesete will also be a registered sex offender for life.

For more information on reporting sex offences and the support available see the Sussex Police website at https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/what-happens-after-you-report-rape-or-sexual-assault/