Three men have been found guilty of repeatedly raping a woman on Brighton beach in what a judge described as a 'cynical, predatory and callous' attack. The victim became separated from her friends on a night out and was targeted while incapacitated in the early hours of 4 October last year, Hove Crown Court heard.
Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, an Egyptian national, and Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, an Iranian national, were convicted of two counts of rape each. Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, also an Egyptian national, was found guilty of four counts of rape as a secondary party by encouraging and filming the ordeal. All three are seeking asylum in the UK.
Jurors deliberated for over 16 hours before returning their verdicts after a five-week trial. The defendants showed no reaction. Judge Christine Henson thanked jurors, noting the case was difficult both in subject matter and due to various disruptions.
Prosecutor Hanna Llewellyn-Waters KC told the court that to the defendants, the complainant was 'meat' and they wanted sex with someone unable to resist. Footage showed Alshafe smiling and slapping the woman during the attack. The victim said in evidence: 'It wasn’t consensual ... they are evil and have ruined my life.'
The men were living in Home Office-approved asylum seeker accommodation near Horsham, West Sussex. Ahmadi and Alshafe arrived in the UK in June 2025 on a small boat from France, while Al-Danasurt arrived in September 2024. All three are appealing refused asylum applications.
Border security minister Alex Norris said the Home Office would seek to deport the men after sentencing. Ahmadi had moved to Crewe without approval and was marked as absconding before his arrest. Alshafe and Al-Danasurt were arrested at their hotel on 13 October.
