Woman Details Alleged Rape by Asylum Seekers on Brighton Beach in Emotional Court Testimony
A woman broke down in tears as she recounted an alleged rape on Brighton beach, telling jurors she feared for her life during the attack. The incident, described by prosecutors as 'cynical, predatory and callous,' involved two asylum seekers accused of raping her while a third filmed the assault, according to testimony at Hove Crown Court.
Victim's Harrowing Account of the Attack
During cross-examination from behind a screen, the complainant wept as she denied claims of consensual sex. She stated, 'I was begging them to stop, and they wouldn’t stop, and I kept saying please stop … and they was laughing at me, and they thought it was funny.' The alleged victim emphasized the trauma has devastated her life, saying, 'Every day it bothers me, every day I can’t sleep. When I do close my eyes, if it’s not one of their faces it’s the sound of the seagulls or the waves, and they’re tormenting me.'
Details of the Alleged Incident
The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of October 4, 2025, after the woman became separated from friends during a night out. Prosecutors allege that Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, and Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, both Egyptian nationals, and Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, an Iranian national, targeted her when she was 'staggering in the street' alone. In a video interview played in court, the woman recalled being on Brighton beach after losing consciousness, stating, 'I closed my eyes because I thought oh my god, they’re actually going to kill me.'
Defendants and Charges
At the time of the alleged offences, all three defendants were residents at the Cisswood House Hotel in Lower Beeding, West Sussex, a Home Office-approved accommodation for asylum seekers. Ahmadi and Alshafe have each denied two counts of rape. Al-Danasurt is charged as a secondary party for encouraging the rape by filming it and faces an additional count of sharing intimate films without consent, relating to allegations he sent recordings to Ahmadi’s phone after the incident. All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Ongoing Trial and Impact
The trial continues at Hove Crown Court, with the woman’s testimony highlighting the severe emotional and psychological impact of the alleged attack. Her account underscores the broader issues of safety and accountability in such cases, as the legal proceedings unfold to determine the facts surrounding this distressing event.
