An Egyptian asylum seeker accused of gang-raping a woman on Brighton beach has told a court he filmed the assault to gather evidence for police. Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, who arrived in the UK on a small boat, said he was shocked to see two friends raping the 33-year-old woman behind a beach hut and recorded the incident because it was 'Haram' (forbidden under Islamic law).
Al-Danasurt, along with Egyptian national Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, and Iranian national Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, are on trial at Hove Crown Court charged with rape. Al-Danasurt also faces an additional charge of sharing an intimate film. The alleged victim, who had been on a night out with friends, claims she was dragged onto the beach and raped on October 4 last year.
In a police interview, Al-Danasurt denied having sex with the woman or encouraging the rape. He said he recorded the video as potential evidence. When asked why he changed position, laughed, and zoomed in while filming, he replied: 'I do not remember, I just wanted to capture them all together.' He told officers he deleted the videos and denied sharing them.
Alshafe initially denied knowing Al-Danasurt or being in Brighton on the night in question, despite his ID being scanned at a nightclub. He answered 'no comment' when asked about his DNA found on the woman. Ahmadi claimed all three men had consensual sex with the woman, who he said initiated the encounter and was conscious throughout. The alleged victim has suggested her drink may have been spiked.
