Brighton taxi driver appeal following rape

A taxi driver who took a woman and a suspected rapist to an address in Brighton could be a vital witness, detectives have said.

The 21-year-old victim was attacked in the early hours of Friday at an address in the Elm Grove area of the city.

Police said she took a taxi with the suspect, from Kings Road, to the property where she was raped.

Det Con Rex Petty said police wanted to talk to the taxi driver and anyone else who saw the woman with the suspect.

"They may hold information key to this investigation," he said.

Officers said the woman walked from Vodka Revolution in West Street to a nearby fish and chip shop, before she got in the taxi with the man outside the Old Ship Hotel in Kings Road.

The taxi then took them to the Elm Grove area, at about 0200 BST.

The suspect, who was described as black with long dreadlocked hair and a beard and wearing a red top, dark jacket and dark jeans, was seen holding the victim up as she walked, police said.

Det Con Petty said: "The victim is being offered our full support during this investigation.

"Police are carrying out forensic examinations, viewing CCTV and house-to-house inquiries are continuing."