Three asylum-seekers charged with the rape of a woman on Brighton beach have appeared in court.
Sussex Police officers received a report that a woman had been raped on the lower esplanade in Brighton at about 5am on the morning of Saturday 4 October.
They arrested Abdulla Ahmadi, 25, an Iranian national from Crewe, along with Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, and Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, both Eqyptian nationals from Horsham. Each of the men has been charged with two counts of rape.
On Thursday, Al-Danasurt and Alshafe appeared separately at Crawley Magistrates’ Court accompanied by an interpreter, while Ahmadi was heard at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.
All three men arrived in Britain on small boats and were awaiting decisions on asylum claims, the Home Office said.
At Crawley, Melanie Wotton, prosecuting, said: “The complainant was subjected to a horrendous ordeal on Brighton beach. She describes being raped by three men.”
The trio were remanded in custody to appear at a plea and trial preparation hearing on Thursday 13 November at Lewes Crown Court.
The Home Office said: “These allegations are shocking and we share the public’s outrage. Our thoughts are with the victim of this horrific crime.
“We are receiving regular updates from Sussex Police. The priority must now be for the police to investigate so those responsible are brought to justice.”
Detective Superintendent Andy Harbour said: “This has been a fast-paced investigation with all three suspects having been identified through thorough investigative work.
“I commend the bravery of the victim who we continue to support with specialist officers.
“I understand how distressing this incident will be for the community and our dedicated partnership operations to protect women and girls will continue in earnest.”
Sussex Police asked anyone with information that could assist the continuing investigation to contact the force online or via 101, quoting Operation Brampton.
Absolutely Shocking what they have done to the Young Woman
But a joke if they get Jailed as they will have a life of luxury in Uk Jail-should be deported-that’s why the are in Prison so they don’t bugger off and go under the Radar.
Glad the Woman is getting the right support.
Remain in Custody, not sentence to Priso just yet, but to right-don’t want them walking the Streets if Brighton.
Cue a not guilty plea followed by a lengthy trial, sentencing, time in prison and then human rights lawyers preventing their deportation for some flimsy argument about where they migrated from not being safe.
Two successive governments have failed to address this. Our police force does its best but the court system is stacked against them.
How many more ?
Glad to see that the principles of justice are being discussed here including the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and the right to a fair trial….. Disappointed that rules around sub judice reporting are being blurred. Glad that some of the commentators are not going to be on a jury anytime soon hopefully.
On The Argus Website, a picture of them seen in Cuffs going into Court.
But they dragged her along the Beach then Raped the Lady-unbelievable Dirty B*******s
Were you there Betty? If you are a witness, you shouldn’t be commenting. However I suspect you only gained your knowledge from hearsay and lurid headlines and your closed mind cannot comprehend that you may be wrong or at least, inaccurate. I am not defending any crime or condoning bad behaviour but I am most definitely standing up for the fundamental tenets of justice, jurisprudence & rule of law. Without these principles, Society breaks down and reactionary opinions such as the ones you display, become normalised & further undermine the basis of civilisation.
“Bad behaviour” a bit of an understatement!
I wonder if Ann would have the same opinion if a member of her family had accused someone of committing such a horrible crime. Hopefully the victim, family and friends aren’t reading Ann’s comments as It seems one is sympathetic towards the accused.
It also seems your mind can’t comprehend that the accusations maybe true.
I just value and defend due process not a lynch-mob mentality. I am not sympathetic to the accused and I have members of my family that unfortunately have experienced such abuse.