A 21-year-old man from the United Arab Emirates has been sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl in a Brighton hotel. Hamdan Alshamsi was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on March 25th, following an earlier guilty plea to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
The court heard that Alshamsi, who has no fixed address, had been in contact with the victim, a young teenager, online. He then travelled to the UK and booked a hotel room on Brighton seafront on December 27th, knowing the girl’s age. The girl travelled from her home to meet Alshamsi at the hotel, where he committed the offences.
A significant police search was launched after concerns were raised for the girl’s welfare. Officers conducted an extensive search of the seafront and the hotel itself. The victim was eventually found unharmed inside the hotel and taken into police protection, receiving support from specially-trained officers.
Alshamsi was located in the hotel’s wellness and spa area and arrested. A search of his room revealed condoms and vodka, indicating pre-planning for the encounter.
Detective Inspector Sean Booth from the Safeguarding Investigations Unit praised the work of Brighton’s response and neighbourhood policing teams, stating, “This was a distressing case which showed the lengths Alshamsi was prepared to go to engage in sexual activity with a young teenage girl. She was vulnerable, and he exploited her trust.” He commended the officers’ “extended search of the seafront and a meticulous search inside the hotel which ensure the victim was brought safely back to her family, and that Alshamsi was arrested swiftly.”
DI Booth also thanked the victim and her family for their bravery in supporting the police investigation. The victim’s family confirmed the long-lasting impact the offences have had on her.
Police are urging anyone who has been a victim of child sexual exploitation or sexual offences to come forward and report their experience. They emphasize the seriousness with which they treat such cases and their commitment to bringing offenders to justice.
