A man has been jailed for 13 years for raping a young teenage girl and sexually abusing her.
Jamie Vile, 44, a fitness trainer, of Milfoil Drive, in the Langney area of Eastbourne, denied the charges as well as a charge of sexually abusing a second girl.
Sussex Police said: “A 44-year-old man, from Eastbourne, has been jailed following his conviction for rape and sexual offences involving a teenage girl.
“Jamie Vile was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (18 May) after being convicted of six offences relating to the rape of and sexual activity with a female child.
“He was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment and made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
“The offences were committed between 2023 and 2025 when the victim was aged between 13 and 15 years old.
“The offending first came to light in August 2025 and Vile was arrested on Sunday 10 August 2025.
“He was charged on Tuesday 12 August and appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court the same day where he was remanded in custody.
“Vile denied the offences and the case proceeded to trial at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday 4 February 2026.
“Following a trial lasting almost four weeks before Judge Mark Van Der Zwart, the jury returned guilty verdicts on six of the 11 charges on Tuesday 24 February.”
Vile was convicted of raping the girl as well as four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing or inciting her to engage in sexual activity.
He was found not guilty of three counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child and one offence of sexual activity with a child relating to a second victim.
Vile appeared in court yesterday (Monday 18 May) to be sentenced.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Constable Tania Snashall, from the Sussex Police Iris Team, said: “It is down to the bravery of the victim in this case speaking out that the offending of this man came to light.
“The fact he chose to deny the offences throughout the investigation and subjected the victim as well as witnesses to giving evidence in court speaks volumes of his inability to accept responsibility for what he had done.
“No sentence can ever reflect the seriousness of the offending where the defendant took advantage of the young female who trusted and looked up to him.
“I hope the victim and her family can now begin the process of rebuilding their lives and moving forward from this.”
Sussex Police added: “Police continue to encourage anyone who has been the victim of sexual offences to report it.
“Reports can be made online or by calling 101. In an emergency always call 999. Victims will be listened to, supported and treated with respect.”
