Three failed asylum seekers who ‘dragged woman onto Brighton beach and raped her’ appear in court

Three failed asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on small boats have appeared in court charged with gang raping a woman on Brighton beach.

Two Egyptians and an Iranian Kurdish man are accused of dragging the 33-year-old woman onto the stone beach before subjecting her to a horrific ordeal.

The three migrants appeared at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex today where a trial date was set for next year.

Egyptians Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, and Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, were living in a Home Office-run migrant hotel in Sussex when the woman was attacked.

Alshafe is accused of attacking the woman the day after his asylum claim was rejected. Iranian Kurd Abdulla Ahmadi, 25, was living at an address in Crewe.

All three men appeared in the dock today wearing grey tracksuits. John Livingstone, prosecuting, told the court: ‘This is a high profile, very serious case.’

The woman said she was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, October 4 after being at a nightclub in Brighton.

At a previous hearing, she was described as vulnerable and intoxicated.

Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, also appeared at Lewes Crown Court for the hearing today

The woman told police she was taken to a secluded place on the beach where she was orally and vaginally raped by three men.

All three men will appear in court again next month. A three-week trial is set to begin on March 16 next year.

A Home Office spokesperson said last month: ‘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.’

The alleged rape took place on Brighton beach (file picture) in the early hours of October 4

Sussex Police previously said the woman was allegedly attacked at the lower esplanade in the early hours.

Detective Superintendent Andy Harbour said: ‘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.

‘I understand how distressing this incident will be for the community and our dedicated partnership operations to protect women and girls will continue in earnest.

‘We are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.’

Police appealed for anybody with any information to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Brampton.