Rapist gets seven years

Alexander Deacon, of Chartwell Road, Lancing, had denied rape, but was convicted by a jury at Lewes Crown Court in November. Sentencing was adjourned for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.The court heard that Deacon had gone to the Honey Club in King's Road Arches, Brighton, on Friday, June 25, and had stood about at the entrance of the club, dressed in black, pretending to be a security doorman.

He then went inside the club and followed a woman into a toilet cubicle, where he raped her. Deacon had denied the allegation, saying the woman had agreed to have sex with him.

The victim, a customer at the club, told the trial she had thought Deacon was a club doorman and was not that alarmed when he came into the toilets. It was when he pushed his way into the cubicle that she realised he was not a bouncer and he attacked her.

Deacon was arrested and appeared in court three days later.

Defending Deacon, Mr Michael Jones said: "He is not the brightest of young men. It was an opportunist situation. Although a traumatic offence, there were no threats of violence. He tells me he feels remorse and is contrite."

But Judge Guy Anthony said: "According to his pre-sentence report, there are no signs of remorse from Deacon or even that he admits the attack. He still says it was consensual."

Sentencing Deacon, he told him: "You forced your victim to appear in court and undergo the indignity of being cross-examined that she had consented and even invited it.You pretended to be a security guard so you could be in a position of trust. You then forced your way into the club to commit rape.This is not the first time you have appeared before the courts. Then, you posed as a security guard to inflict a violent attack on another victim. I am sending you to prison for seven years."

Deacon was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life when he was released.