Horror as man rapes woman at knifepoint then exposes himself to 2 women | UK | News
Brighton man Philip Smith convicted of raping woman at knifepoint in city center (Image: Sussex Police)
A Brighton man has been found guilty of raping a woman at knifepoint and then exposing himself to two women while in custody. Philip Smith, 28, of no fixed address, launched his horrific attack on August 9 last summer, while he was awaiting sentencing for sexually assaulting another woman just days earlier.
Police were alerted to reports that a woman had been raped by a stranger in Brighton’s Bartholomew Square at around 3.30am on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Police said the man threatened the 31-year-old woman with a knife and raped her on a public bench. The victim managed to contact a nearby friend, who rushed to the scene and harassed the attacker.
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Detective Constable Rachel Cutts said: “Philip Smith subjected this woman to a horrific ordeal in the city centre, in an area where she had every right to feel safe.
“Thanks to his quick thinking to call for help, the quick action of his friend and the quick response of our officers, a dangerous criminal was brought to justice.”
An emergency call was received to Sussex Police with a description of the suspect and 45 minutes later Philip Smith was arrested at the entrance to Quadrophenia Lane off Little East Street.
Smith matched the victim’s description and was found to be in possession of Class A drugs as well as multiple knives, including one matching the victim’s account. (28) was arrested and detained.
The sex offender later exposed himself to two women at Brighton Detention Center while in custody.
He was subsequently charged with two counts of rape, two counts of indecent exposure and one count each of possession of a Class A drug and possession of a sharp instrument in a public place. He was detained.
At the time of the crime, Smith was on court bail for sexually assaulting a woman in Brighton just days earlier, on August 5, 2025.
He denied two rape charges but admitted all other offences. Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, the jury found him guilty of both counts of rape on Thursday, February 26.
Smith was remanded in custody to await sentencing at Hove Trial Center on Thursday, June 25.
DC Cutts added: “I would like to congratulate all the victims affected by Smith’s crime for supporting this investigation in extremely challenging circumstances.
“We will continue to work hard with our partners to protect women and girls in Brighton and Hove, while ensuring victims are supported and, should the worst happen, offenders are brought to justice.”
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