MAHAD HUSSEIN FROM TOWER HAMLETS JAILED FOR BRUTAL SEX ATTACK IN BRIGHTON

In June 2019, a disturbing case of sexual assault unfolded in Brighton, leading to the conviction and imprisonment of Mahad Hussein, a man from Tower Hamlets. The incident took place on Ship Street, a well-known area in Brighton, where Hussein was caught on CCTV footage forcibly dragging a woman into an alleyway and subjecting her to a violent and traumatic assault.

According to court reports, Hussein was seen on the surveillance footage physically pulling the victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, into a narrow alley off Ship Street. The footage vividly captured the moment he seized her by her hair, an act that left her visibly distressed and in tears. The assault was described as prolonged and brutal, with Hussein exerting physical dominance over the woman in a manner that shocked those who viewed the evidence.

At Hove Crown Court, Judge David Rennie delivered a stern judgment, condemning Hussein’s actions and characterizing him as viewing the woman merely as a “piece of meat.” The judge emphasized that the victim clearly did not want any sexual contact, as evidenced by her attempts to move away from Hussein during the attack. Despite her clear rejection, Hussein’s inability to accept her refusal led to a violent confrontation.

Hussein, aged 22 at the time, was found guilty of two counts of rape following a trial. The court sentenced him to a substantial term of 13 years in prison. Judge Rennie remarked that if not for the CCTV footage, Hussein might have evaded justice entirely. The footage revealed that the victim was heavily intoxicated, having consumed vodka, which appeared to impair her ability to resist or escape. The judge pointed out that Hussein had deliberately intoxicated her, knowing she was vulnerable.

During the sentencing, the judge highlighted Hussein’s blatant disregard for the victim’s autonomy and dignity. He described Hussein as a young man who was not interested in respecting her boundaries, instead viewing her as an object for his gratification. The court heard that Hussein forcibly pushed her into the alley, covering her mouth with his hand, and then physically manhandled her in a manner that left her in a state of shock and distress.

Hussein attempted to justify his actions by claiming that the victim had consented to sex early on January 15. He argued that he had only forced her into the alley to prevent her from identifying him to members of a rival gang. However, the jury was unconvinced by his account, and the judge described Hussein as “cowardly” for choosing to put the victim through the ordeal of a trial rather than accepting responsibility.

Prosecutor Dale Sullivan pointed out that after the attack was interrupted in the alley, Hussein released the victim. Sullivan detailed that the footage showed Hussein physically maneuvering her into the alley, grabbing her hair, and attempting to force her into sexual activity. The victim testified that she was terrified, fearing Hussein might have a knife, especially after he made threats about removing a man’s eyelids earlier that night.

DNA evidence confirmed Hussein’s involvement, matching his DNA to samples taken from the victim. Detective Constable Jack Sagar presented the CCTV footage, which clearly depicted Hussein’s aggressive actions, including tripping the woman as she tried to leave and backing her into a dead-end alley between Marwood’s and Cafe Coho, where he demanded sex before she could escape.

In addition to the Brighton assault, Hussein received a concurrent nine-month sentence for an incident of affray outside a nightclub in Southend, Essex, in November, and for outraging public decency by urinating in the street. His criminal record also includes convictions for robbery, assault, and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Hussein’s case underscores the severity of his actions and the justice served in this case, highlighting the importance of CCTV evidence in securing convictions for violent crimes against vulnerable victims.