KARAM MAJDI FROM HOVE SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BRIGHTON AND CROYDON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the local communities of Hove, Brighton, and Croydon, a young man named Karam Majdi has been sentenced to prison for heinous crimes involving the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. The incident, which took place over a series of encounters, has left a lasting impact on the victim, who is now 15 years old, and has raised serious concerns about online safety and the exploitation of vulnerable minors.

Majdi, aged 19 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of raping one girl and was acquitted of charges related to another girl, both of whom were minors at the time of the offenses. The court heard that Majdi used the online alias 'Mano Love' to lure underage girls into meeting him in person, exploiting their youth and psychological vulnerabilities. His online activity, which was described by Judge Shani Barnes as deeply troubling, involved efforts to find young women willing to engage in sexual acts.

The trial, which lasted five days at Brighton Crown Court, revealed that Majdi had met the first girl at a hostel for young people in Croydon after she visited a friend. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recounted to police that she had met Majdi at least twice before the assault. During one of these meetings, she was subjected to rape after an encounter that was described as opportunistic and vile by the judge. The girl, now 15, gave a heartbreaking victim impact statement, describing her feelings of trauma and despair. She expressed her fears about her future happiness, questioning whether she would ever be able to marry or lead a normal life. She also shared her ongoing mental health struggles, including nightmares, sleep disturbances, and feelings of sickness whenever she recalls the attack.

Majdi's actions extended beyond the initial assault. He was also linked to another incident involving a different girl, also 14 at the time, who he met through social media. This girl, who has learning difficulties and lives with her parents, was persuaded to meet Majdi in Brighton in September of the previous year. According to police reports, the girl was listening to music on her phone when Majdi began to touch her without consent. Despite her protests and attempts to resist, he forced himself on her, an act she described as violent and distressing. The girl remained in his flat overnight before leaving the next morning, after he told her there were no buses available to take her home.

Following his arrest on December 15 of the previous year, Majdi was traced through his social media profiles. Police investigations revealed that he had attempted to contact other young girls online, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior. During police interviews, Majdi denied being with the girl in Brighton, claiming that someone else had tried to contact him. However, evidence collected by officers confirmed the allegations of sexual assault, including reports of anal rape, which further underscored the severity of his crimes.

Judge Barnes expressed grave concern over Majdi's online activities, emphasizing that his efforts to find young women online were highly dangerous and indicative of a predatory mindset. She described his actions as opportunistic and vile, especially given the vulnerability of his victims. The judge also highlighted the psychological harm inflicted upon the girls, noting that the incidents were prolonged and severe. She stated that if Majdi had been convicted of both girls' cases, the sentence would have been significantly harsher.

In her closing remarks, Judge Barnes addressed the victim, praising her strength and bravery in the face of such trauma. She assured her that her resilience was admirable and that her courage would help her recover from the ordeal. The girl responded with a simple but heartfelt 'Thank you.'

Majdi was sentenced to seven years in prison, with the court ordering that he spend at least half of his sentence in a young offenders’ unit before being deported. The court's decision reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the need to protect other vulnerable minors from similar predatory behavior. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online exploitation and the importance of safeguarding young people from online predators.