A roofer from Hove has been jailed for raping a 13-year-old girl in Shoreham 23 years ago.
Jason Podesta, 47, was arrested two years ago after the victim reported that she had been raped by Podesta, of Portland Road, Hove.
He was jailed for eight years after being convicted by a jury at Chichester Crown Court.
Sussex Police said: “The offence happened in September 1993 when the victim was 13-year-old at a flat in Ferry Road on Shoreham Beach.
“Podesta, who was 24 at the time, raped the victim at the flat.”
“She had lived for all these years with what happened to her but decided Podesta needed to face up to his actions.
“Although this happened a long time ago, we thoroughly investigated to arrest and charge Podesta and last week he was sent to prison.
“We will always listen to those who report any kind of sexual offence and do our best to bring those responsible to justice.”
I knew this man wen I lived in shoreham by sea .my friend owned an hairdressers on Shoreham Beach back in 1993 .I remember standing out side my friends shop next door to the off-licence just up the road from the lady Jane Pub.I saw who I know as Jason Podesta running down the road from the flats, past the shops with all his friends. I could never forget the day because Jason was wearing a plastic cast on is leg from a leg injury . I last saw Jason and Podesta. Before he got put in prison, and told me that someone had come forward and accused him of rape, but he never told me the age of the girl. told me it was all a pack of lies. It wasn’t true.