A Syrian man has pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting a woman on Brighton beach in the early hours of the morning and will face trial later this year.
Bilal Alkadour, 35, of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, appeared at Hove Crown Court on Wednesday, where he denied four charges: rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration of a woman aged 16 or over. Speaking through an Arabic interpreter, he entered not guilty pleas to all counts and was told he would stand trial in November. Judge Jeremy Gold KC told Alkadour it was important he cooperated with his legal team in preparation for the proceedings.
The alleged attack took place opposite the Grand Hotel in Brighton at around 2am on 3 May, when a 21-year-old woman told police she had been raped at the seafront location. Sussex Police launched an investigation and arrested Alkadour on 14 May. He was charged shortly afterwards and appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 16 May, where he was remanded in custody, a position he remains in ahead of the trial.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “The victim is being supported by our officers, and this will continue as we look ahead to court proceedings. I would like to thank her for the courage she has shown in reporting this matter and assisting with our enquiries. I know this incident will be concerning to the public, and we will continue to conduct round the clock patrols on the seafront while working with our partners to protect the public and safeguard vulnerable people.”
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, support is available through Rape Crisis England and Wales.
