A 46-year-old man from Lowestoft has been found guilty of raping a teenage girl.

Stephen Waters, of Princes Road in Lowestoft, was found guilty of three counts of rape at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday.

The allegations came to light when a young woman contacted South Wales Police last March to say she had been raped by a man on three occasions several years earlier.

The incidents occurred in Lowestoft and the details were passed to Suffolk Police's Operation Gemini team, based in the town, to investigate.

Following enquiries, Waters was arrested on the same day the incident was reported.

He gave a 'no comment' interview but officers secured messages he had exchanged with the young woman.

During the trial, the woman described how she had initially tried to fight him off and had frozen during the attacks.

DC Darren Winchester, officer in the case, said; 'The young woman has been extremely courageous in reporting what happened to her and her account and evidence we secured during the investigation has today led to a jury finding Waters guilty of three counts of rape.

'We would like to thank her for her bravery and integrity during the course of the investigation, and would also like to thank South Wales Police who assisted us with bringing Waters to justice.

'This shows again that we can put offenders before the courts many years after sexual abuse has occurred. Even if you don't wish to proceed to court, help and support is available and we'd encourage anyone who may have been a victim to get in touch with police or other agencies who can assist.'

Waters will be sentenced in the week beginning July 11.