MOHAMMED JOINAL SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR BRUTAL RAPES IN BRIGHTON AND SOMPTING

In a significant case that has shocked the Brighton community, Mohammed Joinal, a 29-year-old man from Sompting, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 16 years for committing two heinous sexual assaults in the city. The sentencing took place at Brighton Crown Court on a recent Wednesday, following a comprehensive eight-day trial that culminated in his conviction on charges of rape.

Joinal, who is currently unemployed and residing on West Street in Sompting, was found guilty of raping a woman on Brighton beach on October 19, 2017, and of assaulting another woman in St George’s Road on January 9, 2018. The court also ordered that he be registered as a sex offender indefinitely, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that will severely restrict Joinal’s access to females for an indefinite period. This order aims to prevent any further harm and to monitor his interactions with women, reflecting the gravity of his offenses.

The case initially came to light after a 34-year-old woman reported being raped on Brighton beach near a club she had just left in Madeira Drive around 11 pm on October 18, 2017. Police launched an extensive investigation, collecting forensic evidence and conducting detailed inquiries into the incident. The investigation was still ongoing when a second report emerged, involving a 33-year-old woman who claimed she was raped at the bed-sit where Joinal was residing in the St George’s Road area of Kemptown. This incident occurred after she left a pub on the same road at approximately 11:45 pm on January 9, 2018.

DNA evidence played a crucial role in linking the two separate assaults. Initially, Joinal was not on the national DNA database, which delayed his identification. However, in April 2019, he was arrested on unrelated charges, and during this process, his DNA was obtained. Subsequent forensic analysis established a clear connection between him and both rape incidents. His arrest followed weeks of investigation, ultimately leading to his conviction and sentencing.

Joinal’s case highlights the importance of forensic evidence and diligent police work in bringing perpetrators of sexual violence to justice. The community of Brighton and Sompting can now find some reassurance in the fact that a dangerous offender has been removed from the streets for a significant period, though the impact of his crimes will be felt for years to come.