Eritrean Migrant Sentenced for Brighton Seafront Attack While Still Missing
A migrant from Eritrea, who entered the UK via a small boat crossing, has been convicted of a violent assault on a woman in Brighton, despite remaining at large after absconding from his trial. Bereke Russom, aged 32, was handed an eight-year prison sentence for attempted rape and a concurrent six-year term for sexual assault by penetration, but he received the judgment in absentia after failing to appear in court.
Details of the Early Morning Assault
The incident occurred on the seafront in Brighton, East Sussex, at approximately 3am on August 27, 2022. Russom, who had travelled from Gatwick, West Sussex, where he was residing in an asylum hotel, spotted the victim, who was intoxicated and separated from her group during a night out. He began following her as she walked alone.
When the woman called a friend for assistance, Russom snatched her phone and continued the conversation, refusing to disclose their location before ending the call. CCTV footage from near Brighton Palace Pier captured him dragging her to the shingle beach, where he pinned her to the ground. The victim recalled him forcing himself on top of her and pushing her down, with her clothes being pulled open during the struggle.
Intervention and Aftermath
The attack was halted only by the timely intervention of a beach patrol team on a quadbike, who observed Russom on top of the woman and immediately contacted the police. The guards reported seeing his exposed penis, underscoring the severity of the assault. In a victim impact statement, the woman expressed profound trauma, stating, 'After that night, I lost a part of myself I'm no longer sure I will ever get back.'
Trial and Disappearance
During the investigation, Russom, who required a translator in court, provided conflicting accounts to police, claiming he had been conversing with the woman all night after she approached him in a bar, yet also asserting he could not enter bars due to forgetting his ID. A jury found him guilty following a five-day trial in January.
However, Russom was released on bail during the proceedings and failed to return after viewing CCTV evidence that contradicted his statements. Prosecutor Richard Sedgwick noted that efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful, with his last known sighting in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Defence lawyer Steve Wedd apologised for his client's absence, remarking, 'In mitigation, I have a handful of nothings. I have no client and no expectation of him attending court any time soon or surrendering for sentence.'
Sentencing and Future Implications
Recorder James Hay, presiding over the case, commented that Russom must have identified the victim as vulnerable due to her intoxication and isolation, forming the intent to rape her. He emphasised that the assault was prevented only by sheer chance due to the beach patrol's presence.
If apprehended, Russom will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole and will be placed on the sex offenders register for life. This case highlights ongoing concerns about migrant management and public safety in the UK, particularly in tourist destinations like Brighton.
