Three Men Jailed for More Than 60 Years for Brighton Beach Rape
Abdulla Ahmadi (left), Ibrahim Alshafe (centre) and Karin Al-Danasurt (right), images issued by Sussex Police
Three men have been jailed for a total of more than 60 years after being convicted of the rape of a woman on Brighton beach.
Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, and Ibrahim Alshafe, 26, were each sentenced to 21 years behind bars at Hove Crown Court. Karin Al-Danasurt, 21, was sentenced to 18 years and six months. All three were also handed extended licences of six years.
Sussex Police described the men as dangerous and predatory, and said the impact of their crimes would stay with the victim for a lifetime.
What happened
Police were called to the beach in Brighton at around 5am on Sunday 5 October, following a report that a woman in a vulnerable state had been taken to the beach by three men and attacked.
The victim, a woman in her 30s, was able to escape and raise the alarm, triggering an urgent police investigation. She was supported throughout by specialist officers and partner organisations.
CCTV footage from a nearby nightclub identified all three suspects, who had scanned their ID cards on entering the club as part of the venue's own security measures. Footage of the attack was later found on the phone of one of the men.
The investigation and trial
The three men were identified as Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, Ibrahim Alshafe, 26, and Karin Al-Danasurt, 21. They were located and arrested.
Ahmadi and Alshafe were each charged with two counts of rape. Al-Danasurt was charged with four counts of rape and sharing intimate images, and had sought to claim in his defence that he had not been an active participant. All three were remanded in custody.
Ahmadi, an Iranian national from Crewe, and Alshafe and Al-Danasurt, both Egyptian nationals from Horsham, all pleaded not guilty.
Following a trial at Hove Crown Court that concluded on Thursday 23 April, a jury found all three defendants guilty of all counts of rape. The charge of sharing intimate images against Al-Danasurt was removed.
Still from footage issued by Sussex Police
The sentences
At Hove Crown Court on Wednesday 15 July, the three men were sentenced.
Abdulla Ahmadi, jailed for 21 years, image issued by Sussex Police
Ibrahim Alshafe, jailed for 21 years, image issued by Sussex Police
Karin Al-Danasurt, jailed for 18 years and six months, image issued by Sussex Police
Police response
Chief Superintendent Karrie Bohanna, Sussex Police's lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, paid tribute to the victim and to the investigation team.
"Although these three offenders are now behind bars, the impact of their appalling crimes will be with the victim for a lifetime. The trauma linked to offences such as these cannot be overstated."
She said she hoped the woman would be able to look to her future with optimism, and with the knowledge that thanks to her, three dangerous and predatory men no longer posed a threat to women and girls in Sussex.
Chief Superintendent Bohanna added that protecting women and girls was a top priority, particularly around Brighton's night-time economy and seafront, with significant time and resources invested to keep people safe, identify vulnerable people and deter offending.
She said improvements to the way Sussex Police investigates reports of rape had given the force a greater opportunity to secure convictions, while ensuring victims receive the specialist support they need.
Anyone who has been affected by rape or sexual assault, whether recently or in the past, can report it to Sussex Police online or by calling 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, always call 999.
Specialist confidential support is also available. The 24-hour national Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line can be reached on 0808 500 2222, and survivors in Sussex can access support through local specialist services.
Reporting based on information released by Sussex Police. Images issued by Sussex Police.
