RAWAD BASTAWI SENTENCED IN BRIGHTON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the Brighton community, Rawad Bastawi, a 31-year-old man, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The heinous crimes took place over several days at an address in Whitehawk, Brighton, where Bastawi allegedly lured the young girl with alcohol and drugs, including cannabis, to facilitate his assault.

Throughout a two-week trial at Lewes Crown Court, Bastawi maintained his innocence, denying all allegations. Despite his protests, the jury found him guilty of abusing the underage victim. The court proceedings revealed that Bastawi's actions were deliberate and predatory, exploiting the trust of a vulnerable girl. The conviction was based on substantial evidence presented during the trial, which confirmed his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In addition to the charges related to the 13-year-old girl, Bastawi faced accusations of raping a 15-year-old girl and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. However, he was acquitted of these additional charges, with the court ruling that there was insufficient evidence to prove his guilt in those cases.

Following his conviction, Bastawi was ordered to register as a sex offender and was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. This order restricts his contact with teenage girls and aims to prevent any further offenses. He was also arrested in January of the same year, which led to the charges being brought against him.

Detective Constable Ed Downes, who led the investigation, described Bastawi as a