Matthew Taylor 32

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A rapist who lured a woman from a busy pub to a nearby beach to assault her has been jailed for more than six years.

Matthew Taylor, 31, from Hastings, carried out the ‘appalling, opportunistic attack’ after chatting with the woman, in her 20s, during a night out on February 12.

She was new to the town and thought he was being friendly, but ‘as soon as they got to the beach his behaviour immediately changed and he started to attack her’, Claire Gallagher of the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Taylor was convicted of rape at Lewes Crown Court and sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment.

Ms Gallagher said: ‘This was an appalling opportunistic attack on a woman new to the town, who believed that Taylor was being friendly when he first approached her.

‘Instead, he was planning to lure her away from a busy place, so he could force himself on her.

‘As soon as they got to the beach his behaviour immediately changed and he started to attack her.

‘Despite her repeated protests that she did not consent to any sexual activity with him, Taylor ignored her pleas and subjected her to a traumatic ordeal.’

Detective Sergeant Elizabeth Pike, from Sussex Police’s safeguarding investigations unit, praised the woman for her ‘incredible’ bravery in coming forward to report the attack and facing Taylor in court for the trial.

‘This is sadly something that will stay with her forever, but I hope this sentence will go some way in helping her rebuild her life,’ Ms Pike said.

She also praised officers for their response in the case, adding: ‘His sentencing demonstrates our determination to catch offenders and get justice for victims who come forward to us.

‘We take all reports of rape and sexual offences seriously and support is available on the Sussex Police website for victims and survivors.’

Taylor was also added to the Sex Offenders’ Register. He was cleared of a second charge of rape on the same woman.