18/06/2003

Police investigate drug rape recorded on mobile phones

Police are investigating the rape of a woman in Brighton at the weekend in which a number of men are thought to have recorded images of the attack on their mobile phones.

The 27-year-old woman was attacked in the toilets of the Toad in the Picture House pub in East Street, Brighton, on Saturday evening. Other men, probably not connected with the two suspects, watched the rape and it is believed that some recorded images of the rape. Police also suspect that the woman had been drugged by her attackers.

The victim was out with friends celebrating a birthday when she was approached by two men in the pub. Shortly after she was walked by one of these men to the men’s toilets.

Police say that she was then raped in one of the cubicles "whilst not in a fit state to refuse or resist". A short time later staff found her in the toilets collapsed on the floor. She was incoherent, semiconscious and partly clothed. Staff immediately contacted the police.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Laverick said: “I consider the men who did this to be extremely callous and a danger to women. I need to speak to anyone who can help trace them or anyone who was in the toilet when this took place.”

CCTV footage from within the pub has been seized and detectives are considering releasing CCTV stills of potential witnesses.

Police also wish to trace three women who were seen in the men’s toilets shortly after the rape happened.

(GMcG)

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