Brighton Beach Rape Trial Set for March 16: Migrants in Court

Three small boat migrants charged with gang-raping a 33-year-old woman on Brighton beach have appeared at Lewes Crown Court, where a three-week trial has been fixed for 16 March next year.

Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, and Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, both Egyptian nationals, alongside Abdulla Ahmadi, 25, an Iranian Kurd, stood in the dock dressed in grey tracksuits as prosecutors outlined the case’s gravity.

The alleged attack occurred in the early hours of 4 October on the lower esplanade, after the woman had been at a nightclub in the city.

Previous hearings described her as vulnerable and intoxicated when she was reportedly dragged to a secluded spot on the stone beach and subjected to oral and vaginal rape by the three men.

John Livingstone, prosecuting, informed the court: “This is a high-profile, very serious case.”

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Al-Danasurt and Alshafe were residing at a Home Office-run migrant hotel in Sussex at the time, while Ahmadi was based at an address in Crewe.

The incident is said to have taken place the day after Alshafe’s asylum claim was rejected, with all three having arrived in the UK via small boats.

The defendants, who previously appeared at magistrates’ courts using Arabic and Kurdish interpreters, confirmed their details amid charges of multiple counts of rape.

They will return to Lewes Crown Court next month for a further hearing ahead of the trial.

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A Home Office spokesperson reiterated last month’s position: “These allegations are shocking and we share the public’s outrage.

“Our thoughts are with the victim of this horrific crime. We are receiving regular updates from Sussex Police.

“The priority must now be for the police to investigate so those responsible are brought to justice.”

Sussex Police’s investigation, codenamed Operation Brampton, identified the suspects swiftly.

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Detective Superintendent Andy Harbour stated: “This has been a fast-paced investigation with all three suspects having been identified through thorough investigative work.

“I commend the bravery of the victim who we continue to support with specialist officers.

“Three men have been remanded in custody, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

“If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Brampton.”