Three asylum seekers go on trial accused of raping woman on Brighton beach

Three asylum seekers were tried, accused of gang-raping a woman on the beach.

Egyptian national Karin Abulaziz Al-Danasurt faces four rape charges, while countryman Ibrahim Mohamed Alshafe and Iranian Abdulla Amih Ahmadi face two charges each.

Al-Danasurt is also accused of sharing videos of the alleged attack.

The trio, all in their twenties, appeared at Hove Crown Court today with the help of interpreters.

Prosecutor Hanna Llewelyn-Waters is expected to open the case tomorrow.

The defendants are alleged to have raped the woman on a section of Brighton beach on October 4 last year.

The woman was 33 at the time and was said to be vulnerable, it had previously been reported.

Sexual crime complainants cannot be named as they are granted the right to anonymity.

Egyptian Ibrahim Alshafe is also accused of raping the same woman

Speaking in court, Judge Christine Henson KC warned jurors that footage of the incident would be shown.

He said: ‘This case concerns the alleged rape of a woman by three men on Brighton beach in the early hours of 4 October 2025.

‘As part of the evidence, you will be shown pixelated images of the incident.’

The jury consists of seven women and five men.

The judge added: ‘Do not form hasty opinions; Keep an open mind throughout the hearing.’

The judge also urged jurors to consider the evidence objectively, regardless of the witness’ ‘lifestyle’.

He said: ‘Don’t fall into the trap of thinking someone is less worth believing because of their lifestyle choices.

‘People go out, get drunk, party, get high. ‘They may do this for no reason at all.’

He said someone wearing ‘suggestive clothing’ doesn’t mean they’re ‘ready to have sex’

The Home Office had previously confirmed that all three defendants arrived in the UK on small boats and that decisions on their asylum claims were awaited.

The defendants deny the accusations, the trial continues.