A rapist who “systematically” preyed on women has been jailed after he sexually assaulted, raped and falsely imprisoned three women respectively in the space of a month.

Abdoulie Jobe, of Harmsworth Crescent, Hove, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman aged 19 on July 27 last year, rape and false imprisonment of a 17-year-old girl on August 24 and the rape of a woman aged 31 on August 29 at addresses in Brighton.

During a seven-day trial, Chichester Crown Court heard how the unemployed 29-year-old met his first victim in a nightclub in Brighton on July 27 and would not leave her alone, despite objections from her and her friends.

He sexually assaulted her over her clothing before being ejected from the club. CCTV recorded the incident though it was not possible to identify him at the time.

Barely a month later, at a flat in the city on the night of August 24, Jobe met his second victim and while they were briefly alone he raped her.

Then, on the night of August 28 into August 29, he met his third victim with friends while drinking outside a club on the seafront. The group went back to a flat where Jobe raped her.

He was convicted of all charges and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Detective Constable Beth Griffiths said: "It was clear that Jobe was systematically preying on women who he met in the city, taking advantage of any momentary vulnerability to exploit them for his own sexual gratification.

"He has been in custody since we tracked him down last November after media appeals, but the city is much safer now that he is off the streets for a long time.

"Our investigation eventually identified Jobe as the suspect for all three attacks. When arrested he gave various long accounts to try explain away what had happened, but the evidence, including that from the three victims at court, was compelling.

"Jobe was a very intimidating character. The victim of his first rape was so frightened that initially she would not give many details. Only when she saw our media appeals trying to track him down for the second rape did she feel able to provide his details."

Victims and witnesses of sexual offences are encouraged to report crimes to Sussex Police, and information about how the force investigates these offences is available online.

Support and advice for victims of rape and sexual assault is available on the Sussex Police website.