Latest Offenders Brighton

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Peter Phillips, 60, of Maderia Place, Brighton, pleaded guilty to rape of a female aged 16 or over and sexual assault by penetration at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday (20 January).

Police became aware of Phillips’s offending when a 34-year-old woman from Worthing came forward. The victim and her family received support from specialist officers, and an investigation was launched.

She reported she had been sexually assaulted and raped by someone she met in Brighton in June 2025. This man was Peter Phillips.

He continued to groom her with money and drugs. Later that month, he invited her to a festival and encouraged her to consume alcohol and drugs, leaving her vulnerable. He then took her to a hotel, where he subjected her to a violent and sustained sexual assault before raping her.

He was arrested on 6 August 2025, charged the same day, and remanded in custody.

Following his conviction Phillips remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on 10 April. The court location will be confirmed.

Detective Police Constable, Ryan Dale said:

“Phillips has shown himself to be a highly dangerous and calculated sexual predator. We would like to thank the victim for her immense courage in coming forward and for supporting us in bringing him to justice.

“I encourage any victims of violence against women and girls, in any form, to report these crimes. It is never too late to seek justice. You are not alone, and help is available.”

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A man has been sentenced after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in Brighton.

James Scott, 45, approached a woman who was not known to him in the St James’s Street area.

Witnesses then saw him sexually assault the vulnerable victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

She received support from specially-trained officers after she was taken to hospital following the incident.

Scott, of no fixed address, stood trial at Lewes Crown Court in December and was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault.

On 5 December he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the offences.

The court was told how the incident happened at about 11am on June 7 this year.

Witnesses said the victim, a woman in her 20s, was in a vulnerable position.

Scott was seen grabbing the woman and trying to stand her up before giving her alcohol.

He sexually assaulted her while she was not fully conscious and without her consent, and when confronted by witnesses he claimed the victim was his girlfriend.

But the two had not previously met.

Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Kirstie Neal said:

“This was a distressing incident on a vulnerable victim that was witnessed in full view of witnesses.

“First of all I would like to thank the victim for her support for our investigation, we were determined to get justice in this case.

“I also want to thank all the witnesses who challenged Scott, supported the victim, and contacted the police to ensure swift action could be taken.

“We take reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and we understand the concern that this case caused.

“So we are pleased that a dangerous offender has received a custodial sentence and has been taken off our streets.

“We encourage all victims of sexual assault to report their experience to us.”

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A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman whilst she was asleep.

Che Phillip, 44, previously from Bedford, took advantage of the victim whilst she was sleeping on a sofa following a party.

The victim woke up, realised what was happening, and pushed him away, before getting a taxi home and calling the police.

Phillip of Brunswick Place, Hove, was found guilty of sexual assault, and was today (Thursday) handed a sentence of five and a half years.

The judge noted that the forensic evidence in this case was extremely strong and that Phillip had targeted a particularly vulnerable victim and had shown no remorse for what he had done.

Detective Constable Amy Dewar from Bedfordshire Police said:

“This was a shocking and predatory act that violated the victim’s trust and safety leaving her with severe psychological harm including flashbacks of what happened.

“We commend her courage in coming forward and reporting what happened. Sexual assault is never acceptable, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice and support victims.

"It is never too late to report a crime, and by doing so, you are helping us to bring these dangerous perpetrators to justice."

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A man has been found guilty of raping a woman in Dorset Gardens, Brighton, following a trial at Brighton Crown Court.

Alieu George, 45, of no fixed address, was also found guilty of sexual assault by penetration. He had denied the charges but was convicted by a jury on Wednesday 17 December.

The court heard that members of the public had spotted a man and a woman together in the park area at 9.05am on Sunday 22 June this year. The woman looked distressed and then shortly later, they were on the ground with the man lying on top of her.

Three witnesses recognised the victim’s distress and called police and when officers responded to the scene, they found her distraught and George lying next to her. He told them the woman was his girlfriend.

 The 34-year-old told police that she had gone out for drinks after work and George had approached her and made excuses to remove her from  group of people she was with to get her alone. He then made repeated attempts to sexually assault her while leading her to Dorset Gardens where he raped her.

George was arrested on suspicion of committing rape and taken to custody. He was later charged with the offence that day.

Following the guilty verdicts, George was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing on 10 March 2026.

Detective Constable Daisy Alden, the officer in the case, said:

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim in this investigation for her courage and determination. I would also like to thank the three members of public for their civic duty for calling 999 that resulted in us arriving and arresting the suspect within minutes. They gave evidence at court and their testimonies were highly impactful. 

“Alieu George preyed on the victim and he presents a clear danger to women. The streets of Brighton and Sussex are safer now he will remain behind bars.”

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A Brighton man has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual assaults against two women.

Sam Soyoye, 32, of Windsor Street, Brighton, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court on 3 September of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

He was remanded in custody and appeared before the same court on Thursday, 6 November, where he was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently for all offences.   

The offences involved two women, unknown to each other, who were attacked in separate incidents after meeting Soyoye in Brighton. In June 2024, he invited a woman back to his address in the early hours, where he raped her. In September 2024, he invited another woman to his address and sexually assaulted her.

Following a thorough investigation, Soyoye was arrested, charged, and later convicted after a trial.

Detective Aimee Collier, from the Brighton Investigations Unit, said:

“This sentencing reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the lasting impact they have had on the victims.

“We would like to commend the bravery of both women in coming forward and supporting the investigation. Sussex Police remains committed to investigating all reports of rape and sexual assault and ensuring victims receive the support and justice they deserve.”

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A former housemaster at a school in East Sussex has been jailed for 20 years after being convicted of a string of serious sexual offences against children.

Raymond Langley, 76, of Clarendon Road in Hove, was the housemaster/bursar at the now-closed Tylehurst School in Forest Row during the 1970s.

In 2021, an investigation was launched after a man reported being sexually abused at the school in 1979.

Enquiries identified two victims both now men in their 50s and 60s who were subjected to abuse between 1977 and 1979.

One victim reported how Langley would shower with the students and invite some to sleep in his room to avoid bullies.

Langley would sexually abuse the victim, then a teenager, repeatedly during these interactions.

The second victim reported being sexually abused in a similar way by Langley, including being shown pornographic material by Langley in his room before being abused.

Both victims were given specialist support when the offences were disclosed, and a thorough investigation was launched.

In June, 2024, Langley was charged with four counts of buggery of a boy under 16, four counts of indecent sexual assault and eight counts of indecency with a child.

A jury took just two hours of deliberation to find him guilty of all charges at Lewes Crown Court on 22 September, 2025.

At the same court on Friday (10 October), Langley was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Recorder Ms Q Whitaker described Langley as a coward who preyed on vulnerable boys and forced the victims to give evidence in court despite not taking the stand himself. She commended the victims bravery in reporting and supporting the court process.

Detective Constable Jo Gledhill said:

Raymond Langley targeted vulnerable young boys who sought his help, abusing their trust in the most despicable ways.

Both of these victims have carried the trauma of his crimes throughout their lives, and the bravery they have shown in reporting to the police cannot be overstated.

I would like to thank both of them for coming to us, supporting this investigation and giving the evidence at court that has brought a predator to justice."

Detective Inspector Steve Shimmons said:

This outcome should send a message to victims and offenders that no matter how long ago offences took place, we will take action.

"I reiterate our thanks to the victims in this investigation for their resolve and support, and commend DC Gledhill and the investigative team for their diligent work.

"It is never too late to report if you are a victim, please report to police online, via 101 or by dialling 999 in an emergency.

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A Brighton man who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted two young girls and a boy has been jailed for 16 years.

Daniel Ellett, 35, of Bolney Road in Brighton, abused his three victims over several years up until 2020.

All three were known to him, and aged between six and 13 years old at the time of the offending.

An investigation was launched in January, 2021 and Ellett was arrested while his victims were supported by specialist officers.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of rape against a boy under 13, two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl 13 to 15, and one count each of rape of a girl aged 13 to 15, engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a boy 13 to 15, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, indecent assault on a girl and exposure.

At Brighton Crown Court on Wednesday, 2 July, he was found guilty of all charges.

At Lewes Crown Court on Thursday (4 September), Ellett was sentenced to a total of 19 years, comprising 16 years in custody with another three to be spent on extended licence.

He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order against his victims and will be a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Angela Harvey said:

“Daniel Ellett subjected his young victims to the most appalling ordeals for his own sick gratification.

“Some have been forced to live with the trauma into adulthood, and all will carry the impacts of Ellett’s crimes for the rest of their lives.

“I would like to thank all of them for supporting this investigation and helping to put a dangerous offender behind bars."

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A brazen sex offender has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl on a train to Sevenoaks.

Petro Ninichuk, 37, and of Station Street, Brighton, pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Inner London Crown Court on 11 April. He has been sentenced to 19 weeks in prison and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

On Sunday 27 January 2024, the victim was walking through a train with her friend when Ninichuk grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit on the seat in front of him.

She told him she was only 15-years-old in the hope it would stop his advances, but Ninichuk was non-deterred and brazenly sexually assaulted her in a prolonged attack.

The victim’s friend approached another passenger who intervened and invited the girls to sit with him.

When the train reached Sevenoaks the victim’s friend alerted security staff who identified Ninichuk on the train. While he was with security staff Ninichuk spotted the victim who had been taken to safety in the station office and was trying to get near her, telling them “that’s my girlfriend”. Staff called BTP who arrived and arrested him immediately.

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A sexual predator who attacked two women when he was manager at a popular music venue has been jailed.

Daniel Knowles, 37, was convicted of attacking two women in 2019 when he was a manager at Concorde 2, a nightclub in Brighton. 

He raped one woman and sexually assaulted another as she slept at different addresses in Brighton.

He was jailed for six-and-a-half years following a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

Knowles was described as a daily cocaine user when he was working at the music venue.

Sarah Lindop for the crown said Knowles was a predator who continues to deny his guilt.

"Daniel Knowles is a sexual predator and he has taken advantage of circumstances where he is close to them to sexually assault these young women," she said.

His Honour Judge Mark Van Der Zwart said the jury rejected his claims and described Knowles as a predator who took advantage of vulnerable women for his own sexual gratification.

He said: "You've shown little remorse.

"You were overtaken by your desire for sexual gratification.

"You are wholly to blame."

His victims said they had suffered ongoing trauma after being attacked by Knowles.

The woman Knowles raped said she is living with flashbacks and a constant level of fear and mistrust.

"These past six years, I've spent frozen in time", she said.

"I have to constantly remind myself that I am safe and it's over.

"I will never understand why what happened happened."

The woman who was sexually assaulted by Knowles when he got into bed with her as she slept said her life was changed forever.

She forced him out of her room and barricaded the door.

She said: "I find it difficult to trust people.

"Your gaslighting has destroyed friendships and relationships.

"I was in my own room with my door shut, asleep in my own bed.

"Men like you behave like this of your own volition.

"I hope you will one day be able to understand the harm you've caused."

Knowles was jailed for four-and-a-half years for one count of rape and another two years to be served consecutively for the sexual assault.

He will spend at least two thirds in custody before he is eligible for release and will be on the sex offender register for life.

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A sex offender from Sussex who subjected his Kent victim to a campaign of fear and misery while controlling her life has been jailed, following a Kent Police investigation.

Andrew Wilson, formerly of Brompton Close in Brighton, met his victim – who was living in Ashford at the time – in 2023.

Controlling behaviour

As time went on, Wilson’s behaviour turned aggressive and unpredictable, causing the woman to become frightened and isolated.

Wilson, 29, became increasingly controlling and violent - insisting his victim delete social media contacts, dress in different clothes and give in to his sexual demands.

He dictated where she could go and whom she could speak with, subjecting her to sexual assault and suffocation.

The woman told Wilson she wanted no further contact with him, but he persisted in harassing her and making repeated threats.

Arrested

A report was made to Kent Police and Wilson was arrested in Brighton on 19 January 2024, with the support of officers from Sussex Police, before being charged the following day.

Jailed

Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, Wilson was found guilty of sexual assault, suffocation and coercive and controlling behaviour and, on 12 November, was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Wilson will spend a further two years on licence after that term, and was also given an indefinite restraining order, forbidding him from any further contact with the victim.

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A former teaching assistant who sexually assaulted a young girl during an improvised game of Twister has been jailed.

Stephen Payne sexually assaulted four different girls aged between eight and 12 in his home in Brighton across a period of nearly two decades.

All of the offences occurred while Payne worked as a teaching assistant at Dharma Primary School in Patcham. One of his victims was linked to his time at the school.

Payne, 69, was found guilty of 13 sexual offences after a court heard he assaulted three of his victims while measuring their height against a wooden beam in his home.

A fourth victim was assaulted after Payne initiated an improvised game of Twister.

All of the offences took place between 2001 and 2018, however Sussex Police believe he may have more victims.

PC Donna Bagguley, of Brighton and Hoves safeguarding investigation unit, said: Stephen Payne abused the trust of his young victims in the most appalling way.

Each of them has shown extraordinary courage to report his crimes and give evidence against him. We believed them, a jury believed them and now Payne will spend a significant amount of time behind bars.

We believe Payne may have more victims. If you or anyone you know is a victim of a sexual offence no matter how long ago please report it to the police. We will believe you, we will support you and we will do everything we can to get you justice.

Payne worked at Dharma Primary School in Patcham throughout his offending. He was first employed in 1994 up to the day he was arrested in March, 2020.

Dharma Primary School closed in 2020.

Payne was charged with nine counts of indecent assault of a girl under 16 as well as three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 and one count of assault by touching a girl under 13.

He was found guilty by a jury at Lewes Crown Court on January 26.

Today, Payne was sentenced to six and a half years in jail and given a sexual harm prevention order, a restraining order and added to the sex offenders register for life.

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A fast food restaurant worker who raped a woman in Brighton has been jailed.

Bogdan Cioropa, 28, of Staplefield Drive in Brighton, raped his victim – a woman who was 17 years old at the time – at a property in Brighton on Friday, 9 April, 2021.

She reported the offence to police and Cioropa was arrested the following day on suspicion of rape.

The woman was given support by specialist officers while an investigation was carried out.

Cioropa was subsequently charged with rape, attempted oral rape and sexual assault, but left the country before his trial was due to start.

Proceedings continued in his absence and a jury unanimously found him guilty of all three counts at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, 14 September.

At Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (22 November), Cioropa was sentenced in his absence to nine years in prison.

He was also given a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order of 15 years and will be a registered sex offender for life.

After extensive attempts to locate Cioropa in Europe, a warrant is with the Crown Prosecution Service for his arrest and extradition.

Stringent measures are in place to ensure he will be apprehended should he attempt to re-enter the UK.

In a victim impact statement shared with the court, Cioropa’s victim said: “Thanks to you my whole life changed. I went from being innocent to the horrors that go on in this world to no longer being able to trust anyone. I struggle to believe people and I am constantly worrying about their true intentions.

“I had been told about monsters like you my whole life and how I should be cautious, but at the time I was still a child, I had never expected you to be one of those people I should have been watching out for.

“I am thankful for the support I’ve had from my family and friends, the police and especially Laura from Survivors’ Network who has listened to me talk for hours about all my thoughts.”

Detective Constable Laura Pettitt said: “I would like to thank this courageous young woman for the determination she has shown in not only reporting Cioropa’s crimes initially, but for her supporting a court process delayed by his refusal to attend trial and face justice in person.

“The jury were unanimous in finding him guilty of all three charges and he will be placed behind bars where he can pose no further danger to women.

“I hope this result provides his victim and her family with some degree of comfort as they look to move on with their lives.

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An offender used a false identity to enter the UK after previously being jailed and deported for similar offences.

Ion Rudacan, also known as Ion Paun, was convicted as part of Operation Elba, an operation by Greater Manchester Police to the trafficking of women for sex work in the north west.

Despite being jailed and deported, the 36-year-old made repeated efforts to re-enter the UK.

He managed to enter the UK illegally under a false name, and documents showed he had hired a car in Brighton in July.

But he was arrested by officers from Sussex Police’s Tactical Firearms Unit who carried out a proactive check on his vehicle while on patrol in Marine Parade, Brighton, on September 4.

Rudacan was charged with multiple offences, and was remanded in custody.

At Lewes Crown Court on October 10, he admitted three counts of breaching a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order, breaching a Deportation Order, three further attempted breaches of the Deportation Order, and seeking and obtaining leave to enter or remain in the UK via deceptive means.

Rudacan, of no fixed address, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The court was told how Rudacan, a Romanian national, was convicted as part of Operation Elba for controlling prostitution for gain and for human trafficking offences in the Manchester area.

He was sentenced to two years and three months in prison in November 2021, along with a Deportation Order.

Rudacan was deported on January 27, 2022.

He was also made the subject of a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order for ten years, which restricts his ability to own, lease or possess a vehicle in the UK without informing the police, and restricts his access to using devices such as a mobile phone.

It was revealed how he had attempted to enter the UK under a false EU Settlement application.

He was removed from the UK at Stansted Airport on October 5, 2022 and June 26 this year, and was removed from Liverpool John Lennon Airport on October 14, 2022.

Officers stopped him in a vehicle in Marine Parade, Brighton, in the early hours of September 4.

Inspector Oliver Fisher from the Tactical Firearms Unit said: “Our officers were out on patrol and conducted a check on the vehicle, which Rudacan had hired under a false identity.

“Thanks to the proactive stop, these offences by Rudacan were brought to light.

“It demonstrates that our highly-trained firearms officers s conduct a variety of duties above and beyond armed response, and regularly carry out patrols to assist with our colleagues across the force.

“We are determined to disrupt criminals who prey on vulnerable people with trafficking and modern slavery, to ensure the victims are properly safeguarded.”

Detective Inspector Tony Platten from Greater Manchester Police’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Lead said: “He has showed a blatant disregard once again to the orders imposed on him after serving a custodial sentence and when information was received that he had returned to UK soil, another co-ordinated approach across a number of force areas and actions were taken.

“The most recent result was where we have provided colleagues over in Sussex with the support they needed through gathering evidence as well as helping to locate, arrest and prosecute him further. These orders around trafficking and deportation are designed to reduce the risk of further harm being caused.

“Hopefully this continued approach reinforces the message to victims we will investigate all available lines of enquiry, whilst those who commit serious Modern Slavery offences will be pursued and dealt with robustly in order to protect some of the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Tony Hilton, Assistant Director for the Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigation unit, said: “This is a highly deceptive individual who has repeatedly tried to breach our borders and exploit vulnerable people.

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A man who gave a young girl wine, asked her to take her clothes off and took pictures of her has been jailed.

Neil Schooley, 55, asked another girl, who was under ten, to undress and pose for photographs. On a different occasion he exposed himself to her. The incidents happened two days apart.

After an investigation was launched, it transpired that Schooley had also taken photos of another girl who he gave wine to.

The pictures were all taken between 2016 and 2018 when one of the girls was under ten and the other was between ten and 13 years old.

Sussex Police Detective Constable Joe Murray said: “Neil Schooley betrayed the trust of his young victims and their families for his own sexual gratification.

“The seriousness of these offences and the harm they have caused was recognised by this sentence, which was the maximum available for these crimes.

“I would like to thank both of these two brave girls for reporting the incidents, supporting our investigation and helping to bring Schooley to justice.”

Following the police investigation, Schooley was arrested and charged with three counts of taking indecent images of a child and two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Schooley, of Woburn Place in Brighton, was found guilty by a jury at Hove Crown Court after denying the offences.

At a sentencing hearing on August 31 he was handed the maximum sentence of eight years in prison and was placed on the Sex Offenders’ register.

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A Brighton man who sexually assaulted six women in public spaces in Brighton has been given a thirteen year sentence.

Hanok Zeray, 32, of Ringmer Road in Brighton, targeted lone women around Brighton city centre on multiple occasions in 2022.

An investigation was launched after a woman reported being raped in the Old Steine in Brighton on 16 April. She was supported by specialist officers and Hanok Zeray was arrested the following day on suspicion of rape.

He was released under investigation while evidence was collected to pursue a charge.

On Sunday, 22 May, two women reported being sexually assaulted in London Road and Southover Street in the early hours of the morning.

The Southover Street victim was chased by a stranger – later identified as Zeray – but managed to escape by locking herself in her flat.

Enquiries were underway to identify a suspect when, on 23 October, a third woman reported being sexually assaulted by a stranger in Elm Grove.

He harassed her persistently, but she was able to film him on her mobile phone and capture the sexual assault on film.

Officers identified Zeray from the footage and he was arrested shortly after.

He was charged with rape and three counts of sexual assault and remanded in custody.

While remanded, Zeray was charged with three additional counts of sexual assault after three more women came forward to report being attacked.

One on the 22 May in London Road, one in Gladstone Place on 19 June and a third on 23 October – five minutes before Zeray was filmed assaulting the woman in Elm Grove.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 24 February, Zeray pleaded guilty to all six counts of sexual assault and not guilty to rape. The rape charge was later discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.

At Lewes Crown Court on Friday, 21 July, Zeray was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison, with an extended licence period of five years.

Detective Constable Amy Pemberton-Hill said: “Hanok Zeray was a committed offender who presented a clear danger to lone women and girls.

“I would like to thank all these women for reporting his crimes to police and supporting the investigation through to prosecution.

“The streets of Brighton and Hove are a safer place as a result.”

Superintendent Adele Tucknott, Sussex Police’s lead for violence against women and girls, said: “The behaviour shown by Hanok Zeray will not be tolerated in Sussex – from the persistent harassment of women through to the sexual assaults for which he has been jailed.

“Women and girls should be safe to walk the streets alone at any time of day or night without being targeted by predatory men.

“We have a range of measures to keep people safe at night and it is so important that any incidents are reported so we can take positive action.