BRIGHTON MAN ZAINE REID SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND ABUSE IN SUSSEX TERRACE

A man from Brighton, identified as Zaine Reid, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of serious crimes involving a teenage girl. The offences, which spanned most of the previous year, included rape, strangulation, and ongoing abuse, as well as controlling and coercive behavior that left the victim in a state of constant fear and manipulation.

Reid, aged 20 and residing on Sussex Terrace in Brighton, was brought before Lewes Crown Court where Judge Joshua Swirsky handed down a total sentence of seven years on Friday, 16 May. The court's decision was based on a comprehensive trial that concluded in March, after a six-day hearing at Brighton Crown Court, where a jury found Reid guilty of multiple charges. The judge ordered that Reid serve six years for the rape conviction, with an additional year for witness intimidation, to be served consecutively, bringing the total to seven years.

The sentencing also included separate terms for other offenses. Reid received two and a half years for coercive and controlling behavior, one year for strangulation, and six months for an assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH). These sentences are to run concurrently with the six-year term for rape, meaning he will serve the sentences simultaneously.

The victim, a teenage girl whose identity cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, recounted her ordeal during the trial. According to statements released by Sussex Police, the woman reported that Reid had subjected her to repeated violence and controlling tactics throughout 2024. She revealed that Reid, who was at the time without a fixed address, dictated her interactions with friends and family, monitored her through cameras when he was not present, and threatened to harm himself if she attempted to end their relationship.

She further disclosed that Reid had raped her and strangled her to the point where she feared for her life. The victim also described how Reid, after she cut off contact, logged into her social media accounts and deleted all her profiles, effectively isolating her from her support network. The police supported her with safeguarding measures during the investigation and subsequent arrest.

While in custody awaiting trial, Reid continued to threaten the victim by contacting her from prison and attempting to coerce her into withdrawing her support for the case. He was also charged with intimidating a witness, adding to the severity of his criminal record.

On 18 March, Reid was convicted of all charges at Brighton Crown Court and was remanded into custody. The sentencing on 16 May culminated in a seven-year prison sentence, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the impact on the victim’s life.