Rapist convicted for second time

Alex Maynard raped a 16-year-old girl in a churchyard

A man has been found guilty for the second time of raping a teenage girl in a churchyard in East Sussex.

Alex Maynard, 18, of The Crescent, in Bevendean, near Brighton, was first convicted in July 2005, but a retrial was ordered by the Court of Appeal.

He was again found guilty of the offence at Hove Crown Court on Friday and jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Maynard attacked and raped his victim in St Nicholas Churchyard, in Brighton, on 24 January, 2005.

His case went to a retrial after the Court of Appeal overturned the original trial judge's decision to rule a piece of evidence as admissible.

'Frightening ordeal'

Following Friday's sentencing, Acting Det Ch Insp Ian Pollard commented: "I am pleased with today's verdict, and I hope the victim can now begin to put this whole dreadful ordeal behind her so she can get on with her life.

"She was 16 years of age at the time of the attack and has given her evidence twice and been cross-examined twice.

"She has remained determined to see Alex Maynard convicted for the frightening and humiliating ordeal he put her through."

Maynard will now be listed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

He was found not guilty of a second charge of intimidating witnesses.