Fattah Derrahi is in prison for six years after pleading guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault against 11 women on the seafront at Hove, East Sussex. The 59-year-old chef, from Farm Road in Hove, targeted women who were exercising or cooling down after exercise over a four-year period between September 2021 and October 2025. He was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on 27 March 2026.
Who Is Fattah Derrahi?
Fattah Derrahi is a 59-year-old British national who lived at Farm Road in Hove, East Sussex. He worked as a chef. Prior to his arrest and subsequent guilty pleas, he had no public profile. His offending came to light following a sustained campaign of sexual assaults carried out against women exercising on and around Hove seafront — a stretch of coastline popular with joggers, swimmers, and fitness enthusiasts.
Derrahi deliberately targeted lone women who were engaged in exercise or were in a post-exercise state. He would approach his victims and engineer physical contact — for example, by offering to assist them with stretching, dancing, or breathing exercises — before carrying out a sexual assault. His method of grooming victims through the pretence of helping them made the offending particularly insidious.
The Seafront Sexual Assault Campaign
Between September 2021 and October 2025, Fattah Derrahi sexually assaulted 11 different women on or near the seafront at Hove. Each victim was assaulted on a separate occasion, making this a sustained, repeat campaign of sexual offending rather than an isolated incident. The consistent targeting of women engaged in exercise showed a clear and deliberate pattern of behaviour.
The offences took place in an area well known to the local community as a safe space for outdoor exercise. Hove Lawns and the adjacent seafront promenade are used by thousands of people each week for running, cycling, swimming, and other activities. Derrahi’s offending undermined the sense of safety in this public space and caused significant distress to each of his victims.
Each of the 11 charges related to a separate victim and a separate incident, demonstrating the breadth of his offending over the four-year period. His ability to continue offending for so long before being identified and arrested underscores the challenges that repeat, opportunistic sexual offenders pose to police and communities.
The Police Investigation
Sussex Police investigated the series of sexual assaults on Hove seafront, gathering evidence from multiple victims and locations over time. The investigation drew links between the individual incidents through Derrahi’s distinctive approach, physical description, and behaviour. Evidence was gathered including witness accounts, CCTV footage, and digital material.
Derrahi was charged with sexual assault offences in November 2025, following the investigation into the Hove Lawns attacks. His arrest and charge brought to an end a four-year campaign of offending. Sussex Police praised the courage of the victims who came forward and reported the assaults, noting that their willingness to speak to police was essential in building the case against Derrahi.
Guilty Pleas and Court Proceedings
At a pre-trial preparatory hearing at Lewes Crown Court on 15 December 2025, Fattah Derrahi admitted nine of the charges against him. He subsequently admitted a further two charges relating to incidents that had occurred in 2021, bringing the total to 11 counts of sexual assault — one for each victim. His decision to plead guilty to all charges meant that none of his victims were required to give evidence at a trial.
The case was transferred for sentencing to Brighton Crown Court, where Recorder Neil Mercer presided. The court heard details of each offence and the impact on the victims, as well as information about Derrahi’s background and character. His guilty pleas were taken into account in the sentencing process.
The Six-Year Sentence
On 27 March 2026, Fattah Derrahi was sentenced to six years in prison at Brighton Crown Court. The sentence reflects the serious and sustained nature of his offending — 11 victims over four years — as well as his exploitation of a public space and his use of deception to gain physical contact with his victims.
As a convicted sex offender, Derrahi will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register upon his release. The length of registration and any additional conditions will be determined by the court and probation service. He will also be subject to supervision on licence following his release from prison.
Sussex Police welcomed the sentence, emphasising the force’s commitment to pursuing and prosecuting those who commit sexual offences and the importance of victims coming forward. For information on supporting someone in the criminal justice system, our guide on sending money to a prisoner provides practical advice, and our book a prison visit guide explains how visits are arranged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Fattah Derrahi in prison?
Fattah Derrahi is in prison for six years after pleading guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault. He targeted 11 different women on Hove seafront in East Sussex over a four-year period between September 2021 and October 2025. He was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on 27 March 2026.
How did Fattah Derrahi carry out the sexual assaults?
Fattah Derrahi targeted women who were exercising or in a post-exercise state on Hove seafront. He would approach victims and engineer physical contact by offering to help them with activities such as stretching, dancing or breathing exercises, before carrying out a sexual assault. This method of deception made the offending particularly calculated.
How many victims did Fattah Derrahi assault?
Fattah Derrahi assaulted 11 women, each on a separate occasion. He faced 11 separate counts of sexual assault, each relating to a different victim. The offending took place over approximately four years, from September 2021 to October 2025.
Where did Fattah Derrahi carry out his offences?
Fattah Derrahi carried out his offences on and around Hove seafront and Hove Lawns in East Sussex — a popular area used by the public for outdoor exercise including running, cycling and swimming. His deliberate targeting of this public space caused significant distress to the local community.
Did Fattah Derrahi admit guilt?
Yes, Fattah Derrahi pleaded guilty to all 11 counts of sexual assault. He admitted nine charges at a hearing at Lewes Crown Court in December 2025 and later admitted two further charges from 2021. His guilty pleas meant that his victims did not have to give evidence at a trial.
