Three men have been jailed for raping a woman on Brighton beach in an attack described as "entirely predatory, callous and contemptuous." The incident occurred in the early hours of 4 October 2025.
Core Facts
Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, from Iran, and Ibrahim Alshafe, 26, from Egypt, were each sentenced to 21 years in prison. Karin Al-Danasurt, 21, also from Egypt, was convicted as a secondary party for filming the attack and sentenced to 18 years and six months. All three will serve an additional six years on extended licence, with parole eligibility after two-thirds of their sentences.
Attack Details
The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was described as "incapacitated" and "staggering in the street" when the men encountered her. Prosecutors stated the men were "on the lookout for women that night for sexual purposes" as they visited bars and nightclubs on Brighton seafront. After leaving a club, they crossed paths with the woman at a fast-food restaurant and took her to the beach.
The trial heard that Alshafe and Ahmadi raped the woman behind a beach hut while Al-Danasurt filmed the attack. The victim recalled being spat on, kicked, and having her throat grabbed. She regained consciousness on the beach, fearing she would be killed.
Defendants' Claims
Alshafe and Ahmadi claimed the encounter was consensual, while Al-Danasurt asserted he was filming to capture evidence to help the woman. The jury rejected these claims.
Victim's Impact
The victim described the attack as having a profound and lasting impact on her life. She stated she still hears the attackers' laughter and feels "dirty" despite efforts to clean herself. The assault has affected her ability to socialize and drink alcohol.
Additional Context
It was revealed that Al-Danasurt had a prior murder conviction in Egypt in 2022 and fled to Europe, crossing the Channel illegally in 2024. UK authorities were unaware of his criminal history until he mentioned it on his asylum application, though the authenticity of these claims remains unverified.
Sentencing Rationale
The court emphasized the predatory nature of the attack, with the prosecutor describing the men as "devoid of humanity." The sentences reflect the severity of the crime and the need to protect the public from further harm.