Police have praised the courage of a teenage rape victim after her attacker was found guilty.

Denis Kadena was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after a five-day trial.

Jurors at Southampton Crown Court heard that the 34-year-old ‘tricked’ the teenager into his van and later raped her in a 'secluded' part of Totton.

The attack happened last September. 

Following the verdict, detective inspector Claire Shawley commended the victim.

She said: “We are pleased with the result from court today, and I would like to commend the victim for her courage throughout the investigation and trial.

“This conviction would also not have been possible without the help of the local community, who provided valuable evidence.

“I hope this reassures our community that we take these allegations very seriously and will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.

“We want to reassure anyone who reports incidents of serious sexual assault and rape to us that they will be believed, and they will be offered specialist support and provided with a specially trained officer.”

READ MORE: Man ‘lied and lied’ to police after alleged rape of teenage girl, trial told

Pictures shown to the jury during the trial show piles of packages in the back of Kadena’s van.

Hello Fresh boxes and bags of used coffee are seen packed into the back of the vehicle, where the rape took place.

Kadena of Yorke Street, Southsea will next appear at 2pm on May 12 at the same court.