Sexually assaulted a woman while she was at a Christmas party.

Mohamed Elshamy, 41, of Hastings, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman on the beach in December 2022.

Elshamy met the victim in The Crypt nightclub on Robertson Street in the early hours of Sunday, December 18, 2022. Within minutes, he was seen leading her out of the club and through an underpass to the seafront, where CCTV cameras captured him attempting to kiss her forcefully and pulling at her clothing.

Footage then showed Elshamy further sexually assaulting the woman on the beach before walking away and leaving her alone and in distress.

Elshamy, who is unemployed, was identified through CCTV images and arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

At the same court on June 26, he was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and was added to the Sex Offenders' Register.

Investigating officer DC Kelly Yates said: "Mohamed Elshamy had only met the victim for a matter of minutes before taking advantage of the fact she was intoxicated and in a vulnerable state, and sexually assaulting her for his own gratification. Elshamy's behaviour was dangerous and predatory and we're pleased to see the severity of his actions reflected in a custodial sentence."