Sussex Police have charged a man following investigations into two reported rapes in Bognor Regis.

On 20 June 2023, police received a report of a rape that occurred during the early hours near The Esplanade beach area in Bognor. Specialist officers supported the victim as an investigation commenced.

Patrik Lis, 30, of Sussex Street, Bognor Regis, was arrested in September and released on bail with strict conditions while evidence was gathered.

A second report of rape was made on 2 July 2024, at around 5am off London Road in Bognor. This incident, bearing similarities to the first, led to a swift investigation that identified Lis as the suspect.

Lis has been charged with multiple offences: three counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, two counts of causing actual bodily harm, and one count each of sexual assault, intentional strangulation, and intentional suffocation. Neither victim was known to Lis.

He was remanded in custody at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 5 July and is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 5 August