A man has been charged with raping a woman on a beach.

Matthew Taylor, 30, was arrested and charged with two counts of rape following an incident on Hastings Beach in the early hours of the morning.

A man and a 24-year-old woman both arrived on an area of the beach between Hastings Pier and the junction with Robertson Street at around 4am on Sunday, February 12.

After police received reports of a woman being raped on the beach, Taylor, a groundsman from Hastings, was arrested the following day. The victim is being supported by specialist police officers.

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He appeared before Brighton Magistrates' Court on February 15 and has been remanded in custody to appear again on March 15.

Police said the woman arrived on the seafront with a man from the direction of Robertson Street. The man was described as wearing a dark jacket over a light-coloured hooded jumper, dark bottoms and trainers.

The Argus: Hastings BeachHastings Beach (Image: Google Street View)

Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened, or witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area around that time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting Operation Adelphi, or to contact Crimestoppers.