The trial of a man accused of five sexual offences around Brighton beach is due to begin today.

Mohamed Abdelsalam is charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration in relation to four incidents in February last year.

Abdelsalam, 25, of Preston Road, Brighton, is accused of the offences near the beach between February 11 and February 25.

He appeared at Lewes Crown Court yesterday wearing a grey hoodie and black T-shirt. Flanked by an interpreter he watched as the jury was sworn in.

He sat silently throughout proceedings.

The trial, before Judge Martin Huseyin, will begin this morning and is expected to last until the end of the week.