A Sudanese national residing in hotel accommodation has been accused of raping a 'terrified' woman at the rear of a court building and recording the assault on his mobile phone, a jury has heard.
Trial Details and Allegations
Mubarak Ibrehim, a 25-year-old migrant living at the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea, Hampshire, is currently on trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. He faces charges of rape and voyeurism relating to an incident alleged to have occurred in the early hours of June 11, 2025.
The prosecution claims the attack took place in the vehicle entry bay of the very court building where the trial is being conducted. According to the court proceedings, a male voice can be heard on the recording saying 'don't worry' during the alleged rape.
Prosecution's Account of Events
Ed Hand, prosecuting, provided the jury with a detailed timeline of the night in question. The complainant had left the Astoria nightclub in Portsmouth city centre with a friend at approximately 3am.
The friend then began conversing with another man and entered an alleyway to purchase drugs, while the alleged victim waited on a kerb because she 'did not want to be involved'.
Mr Hand stated that Ibrehim, initially accompanied by another male, approached and engaged the complainant in conversation before his companion departed, leaving them alone together.
CCTV Evidence and Alleged Assault
The prosecutor informed the court that CCTV footage captured the pair. 'He sat down next to her, he can be seen to kiss her and put his arm around her,' Mr Hand described. 'After a short while they walk off camera and disappear out of shot for about five minutes in the vehicle bay of this building.'
When they reappeared on camera, they walked off together before the defendant ultimately departed in the opposite direction. The complainant was described as 'extremely upset', prompting police attendance at the scene.
In a subsequent police interview, the alleged victim stated that while in the vehicle bay, Ibrehim 'became more forceful, pulled down her trousers and raped her'. She told officers she was 'terrified and she froze' during the incident.
Discovery of Recording and Aftermath
The court heard that the complainant was initially unaware Ibrehim had filmed the incident. Upon being informed by police, she said the knowledge 'made her feel physically sick'.
Mr Hand detailed a disturbing digital exchange that followed. The defendant allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to the woman the next day stating: 'I really enjoyed meeting you at the party last night, do you remember me?'
The complainant responded: 'You, you're the one who hurt me, do you understand how drunk I was, taking advantage of me the way you did.' After she sent a further message saying, 'I know it's you, you were him', he ceased communication.
Defence Position and Legal Proceedings
Following his arrest, Ibrehim, who is being assisted during the trial by an Egyptian Arabic interpreter, told police the alleged victim had consented to sexual activity.
'He admitted using his phone to film some of the incident because he wanted to show she had consented,' Mr Hand told the jury. The defendant claimed he stopped the encounter because he was 'afraid of being seen'.
In an unusual procedural development, Judge Daniel Sawyer informed jurors they would be taken to the scene of the alleged incident. 'Ordinarily I would tell you not to go to the location but in this case it's just out the back of the building and it would be utterly pointless, you can see most of it from your jury retiring room,' the judge remarked.
Mubarak Ibrehim formally denies all charges against him. The trial continues at Portsmouth Crown Court.
