Ibrahim Alshafe, Abdulla Ahmadi, and Karin Al-Danasurt are facing custodial sentences after being found guilty on 23 April 2026 of raping a woman on Brighton beach. The three men, all of whom were resident at a hotel for asylum seekers at the time of the attack, dragged an intoxicated and incapacitated woman onto the beach in the early hours of 4 October 2025 before subjecting her to a prolonged sexual assault that was partially filmed by one of the attackers.

Who Are the Three Men?

Ibrahim Alshafe was born on 7 June 2000. Abdulla Ahmadi was born on 12 November 1999. Karin Al-Danasurt was born on 22 June 2005, making him the youngest of the three. All three were living at a hotel used to accommodate individuals seeking or appealing asylum or immigration status in the United Kingdom at the time of the attack in October 2025.

The case came to trial at a Crown Court in England and was prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service South East’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team — a specialist unit of trained lawyers handling rape, child sexual abuse, and other serious sexual offence cases. Holly Morton, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, described the attack as “utterly appalling and violent,” carried out in a “cynical, predatory and callous way.”

What Happened on Brighton Beach?

On the night of 3 to 4 October 2025, the victim had been on a night out in Brighton and became separated from her friends. She was heavily intoxicated to the point where she was unable to stand. The three men targeted her in this vulnerable state, dragging her to a secluded spot on Brighton beach where she was raped repeatedly by Alshafe and Ahmadi.

Throughout the assault the victim drifted in and out of consciousness, and video footage captured by Al-Danasurt showed her unconscious at points during the attack. She was left with bruising to her throat and neck. She described later drifting in and out of consciousness and hearing the men laughing during the assault. The incident was reported to police by the victim and an investigation was launched.

How Were They Convicted?

The prosecution case against Alshafe and Ahmadi was built on DNA evidence linking them to the victim, eyewitness testimony, and the footage that had been captured and shared by Al-Danasurt. The case against Al-Danasurt was more complex legally: he had not participated physically in the rape, but had filmed it on his phone and sent the footage to Ahmadi.

Al-Danasurt claimed in court that he had been filming in an attempt to help the woman and capture potential evidence. The prosecution successfully argued that this account was not credible — that his filming and distribution of the footage demonstrated that he was fully aware of what was happening to the victim and was complicit in the rape taking place. The jury accepted this reasoning and convicted Al-Danasurt of four counts of rape despite the absence of DNA evidence directly linking him to the physical assault.

The bravery of the victim in reporting the attack and cooperating with investigators was described as instrumental in bringing the three men to justice.

Charges and Verdicts

On 23 April 2026, all three men were found guilty at trial. Karin Al-Danasurt was convicted of four counts of rape, reflecting the prosecution’s case that his active filming and sharing of the footage made him a participant in each instance of the assault. Ibrahim Alshafe was found guilty of two counts of rape. Abdulla Ahmadi was also found guilty of two counts of rape.

Holly Morton said that the men had “targeted her in a cynical, predatory and callous way, dragging her to a secluded spot, before repeatedly raping her for their own sexual gratification.” She also stated that thanks to the victim’s courage in reporting the attack, the prosecution was able to ensure the three men “cannot target women again.”

Sentencing

As of the date of the guilty verdicts in April 2026, sentencing had not yet taken place. All three men were convicted and will be held pending their sentencing hearing, at which a judge will determine the length of their custodial sentences. Given the severity of the offences — multiple counts of rape involving a vulnerable, unconscious victim — substantial custodial sentences are expected for all three defendants.

Rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in England and Wales. The sentencing judge will take into account a range of aggravating factors including the vulnerability of the victim, the fact that the assault was filmed and shared, that it took place in a public location, and that multiple offenders were involved. Family members of those remanded in custody can find guidance on booking a prison visit and sending money to a prisoner through our dedicated guides. For information on how the Parole Board assesses serious sexual offenders for potential release, see our full guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Ibrahim Alshafe, Abdulla Ahmadi and Karin Al-Danasurt facing prison?

All three men were found guilty on 23 April 2026 of raping a woman on Brighton beach in the early hours of 4 October 2025. The victim was heavily intoxicated and incapacitated. Alshafe and Ahmadi carried out the physical attack, while Al-Danasurt filmed it and was convicted as a participant in the rape.

How was Karin Al-Danasurt convicted of rape if he did not physically participate?

Al-Danasurt filmed the rape and sent the footage to one of the other attackers. The prosecution successfully argued that by filming the assault and sharing the material, he was fully aware of what was happening and was complicit in its commission. The jury rejected his claim that he was filming to help the victim, and convicted him of four counts of rape.

What sentences are Alshafe, Ahmadi and Al-Danasurt likely to receive?

As of April 2026, sentencing had not yet taken place. Rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in England and Wales. Given the multiple aggravating factors — the vulnerability of the victim, filming of the attack, and involvement of multiple offenders — substantial custodial sentences are anticipated for all three defendants.

Where were the three men living at the time of the attack?

At the time of the attack in October 2025, all three men were resident at a hotel used to house individuals seeking or appealing their asylum or immigration status in the United Kingdom.

What is the CPS RASSO team?

The Crown Prosecution Service Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team is a specialist unit of trained prosecutors who handle rape, child sexual abuse, and other serious sexual offence cases. The team prosecuted the Brighton beach case and secured guilty verdicts against all three defendants in April 2026.