Asylum Seeker Claims Brighton Beach Rape Video Was Intended as Police Evidence
An Egyptian asylum seeker accused of participating in the gang rape of a lone, intoxicated woman on Brighton beach has told a court he recorded the assault on his mobile phone to gather evidence for law enforcement authorities. Karin Al-Danasurt, aged 20, who arrived in the United Kingdom via a small boat crossing, asserted he was profoundly shocked when he witnessed two of his companions sexually assaulting the woman behind a beach hut.
Victim's Account and Defendant's Denial
The 33-year-old woman has testified that she was forcibly dragged onto the beach and subjected to rape following a night out with friends in the coastal city on October 4 last year. Al-Danasurt has categorically denied having any sexual contact with the woman, stating that he recognised the actions he observed as Haram – forbidden under Islamic law – and intended to document the incident.
In a police interview recorded approximately two weeks after the alleged attack, Al-Danasurt maintained he played no part in organising or encouraging the rape and filmed the events solely as potential evidentiary material. 'The video is there, you have seen it, they were raping her in the video. I was in a shock, so I started recording what I was seeing,' he explained to investigators.
Questioning of Video Conduct and Co-Defendants
When questioned about why he altered his filming position, laughed, and zoomed in during the recording, Al-Danasurt responded, 'I didn't mean anything at all. I do not remember, I just wanted to capture them all together.' Egyptian national Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, and Iranian national Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, are accused of repeatedly raping the woman, while Al-Danasurt is alleged to have filmed the assault and encouraged the perpetrators.
All three men face charges of rape, with Al-Danasurt additionally charged with sharing an intimate film. The trial is currently proceeding at Hove Crown Court.
Initial Statements and Evidence Contradictions
In his first police interview, conducted before officers reviewed the three video clips on his phone, Al-Danasurt claimed he had pleaded with the other men to cease their actions. When detectives pointed out that his voice could not be heard making such appeals in any recording, he stated, 'I do not remember. I may have said Haram, stop, that's enough, something like that, but I do not remember. It was not funny, no. As a Muslim, I've not seen anything like this my whole life.'
He informed police he subsequently deleted the videos, asserting he did not wish them retained on his device, and denied disseminating them. The woman reported to authorities that she recalled a light shining in her face upon regaining consciousness on the beach.
Co-Defendants' Accounts and Forensic Evidence
Ibrahim Alshafe provided three prepared statements during interviews with Sussex Police detectives. He initially denied acquaintance with Al-Danasurt, his roommate at an asylum hotel where he had resided for three months, later conceding they did not have a cordial relationship. Alshafe denied being in Brighton on October 3 and 4 or ever visiting the Horizon nightclub, where the group allegedly socialised prior to the purported rape.
He acknowledged his identification was scanned at the nightclub entrance but contended that CCTV stills were not of him. Alshafe offered 'no comment' when detectives described a video showing him posing and sticking out his tongue during the incident, as alleged by his roommate. He remained silent when queried about why his DNA was detected on swabs collected from the woman.
The court heard testimony suggesting the alleged victim believes her drink may have been spiked. Abdulla Ahmadi told police all three men engaged in consensual sexual activity with the woman on the beach, noting Al-Danasurt was the sole English speaker among them.
Conflicting Narratives and Ongoing Proceedings
In a prepared statement, Ahmadi claimed the woman initiated sexual contact with all three men, asserting the encounter was consensual with her conscious and active participation throughout. He stated, 'After I finished, Karin started slapping her and spat in her mouth.' Ahmadi added the woman became distressed and threatened to contact the police.
Sussex Police confirmed the woman reported being assaulted on the lower esplanade in Brighton during the early hours of Saturday, October 4 last year. All three defendants have entered not guilty pleas to the charges. The trial continues as the jury examines the conflicting accounts and evidence presented.
