A man who raped a vulnerable woman on Brighton Beach in front of horrifying onlookers and then feigned unconsciousness to try to avoid arrest has been jailed for six years.
Ali Mozaffari, 37, of Golders Green, London, witnessed the rape of a woman on the beach, west of Brighton Palace Pier, at around 5.40am on September 10, 2023.
Frightened members of the public called the police and officers were able to catch Mozafarri in the act.
He was arrested at the scene but faked unconsciousness and had to be taken to a police vehicle and into custody – before his collapse was proven to be simulated.
The victim was taken to a place of safety and supported by specialist officers while an investigation was launched.
Mozaffari was subsequently charged with rape and taken into custody.
He pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court on February 2, 2024. He appeared again at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (January 22), where he was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.
Detective Constable Clare Byrnes said: 'Ali Mozaffari preyed on a vulnerable woman who had a right to feel safe in a public space.
Ali Mozaffari, 37, of Golderers Green, London, was seen by shocked onlookers raping a woman on Brighton Beach in the early hours of September 10, 2023
The attack happened on the beach west of Brighton Palace Pier – pictured here in April 2023 during Storm Noah
Brighton receives over 11 million visitors every year, with many flocking to its beautiful beach
“Thanks to the quick thinking of witnesses at the scene and a quick response from our officers, he was located during the commission of the offense and taken into custody.
“The victim in this investigation has shown tremendous courage to support the trial, while living with the consequences of her ordeal, and helped bring a dangerous predator to justice.”
Brighton receives more than 11 million visitors every year according to VisitBrighton, making it a magnet for criminals.
In December last year a The 19-year-old boy was raped by two unknown men at a popular seaside resort in Brighton, police have said.
The teenager reported being approached in Brighton by two unknown men near Harry Ramsden's Fish and Chip Shop in Old Steine at around 3.30am on Saturday, December 21.
He was then taken to Steine Lane by the men who passed him before he managed to seek help from a passer-by, who called the police.
Two men – both in their 40s – were arrested in connection with the alleged attack.
Speaking about the Ali Mozaffari case, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Phillips of Brighton Safety Unit said: 'Brighton is a safe place, but terrible incidents like this reinforce why we and our partners take the night-time economy so seriously.
A separate rape case in Brighton in December 2024 saw two men – both in their 40s – arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old man in Brighton city center (pictured: Steine Lane where the attack is alleged to have happened)
'We have a wide range of safeguards in place to protect vulnerable people and catch perpetrators should the worst occur and fortunately incidents like this are a rare occurrence.
“As a force we have made significant improvements in the way we investigate reports of rape and support victims. This helps us to bring more perpetrators to justice and provide victims with the help they deserve.
'If you are a victim of crime, or see anything suspicious, please report online, via 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.'
