Two men have been jailed for a total of 22 and a half years for the rape and sexual assault of a teenager in Brighton.
Ashley Lewis, 36, formerly of Albemarle Road in Bromley, and Dylan Holden, 18, of West Street in Brighton, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (10 February) following an attack on a vulnerable girl in Pavilion Gardens in 2021.
Police had been called by a member of the public shortly before midnight on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
They were helping a girl in distress, who was in a vulnerable state in the company of two men – later identified as Lewis and Holden. Both men both fled the scene shortly after being approached.
An investigation was launched and CCTV footage showed the pair leading the victim into Pavilion Gardens, where she was raped.
Lewis was also captured on CCTV stealing items from the victim’s bag that were later found at his home.
The pair were arrested and later convicted of multiple sexual offences at Hove Crown Court on Friday, 11 November.
On Friday (10 February), Lewis was sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison after being convicted of rape, sexual assault and theft.
Holden was sentenced to six years in prison for rape and two counts of sexual assault.
The victim submitted a statement to the court detailing the devastating impact their actions have had on her life. She said that at times since that night in June, she has ‘just wanted to die’. She heard voices, suffered hallucinations and nightmares and was ‘terrified’ of people and going outside.
She said the urge to self-harm was ‘overwhelming’.
“Whenever I left my house. I couldn’t get away from it and, sometimes, I still can’t,” the statement reads.
“Getting the verdict was like a breath of fresh air, a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. But it still lingers. It’s still there, in the back of my mind, like a dark cloud in the distance it won’t go away. I can’t get it to go away.
“Thankfully with all the love and support I received from my family and the continued support of the police, the prosecution and the survivors’ network, I manage to persevere and keep going. I can’t thank them enough, words can’t explain the gratitude I feel; they are the reason I stayed alive, the reason I can keep going and the reason I am still here today.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable Laura Pettitt said: “Ashley Lewis and Dylan Holden took advantage of their vulnerable victim, with no regard for her wellbeing or the devastating impact of their actions.
“These significant custodial sentences are testimony to the bravery of that young woman, who supported this investigation through to its conclusion. Her incredible strength has made the streets of Sussex safer, by putting two dangerous, predatory individuals behind bars.
“I would also like to thank the members of the public who trusted their instincts and returned to the scene to help her and call the police.
“We will always respond proactively to any reports of sexual offences and work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice. Victims can also rely on the full support of specially trained officers, who are there as a single point of contact and a guide through the investigative and court process.”
If you or someone you know has been the victim of rape, sexual assault or another sexual offence, report it online, via 101 or call 999 in an emergency.
If you have been affected by issues mentioned in this article? Help and advice can be found here provided by Sussex Police- https://www.sussex.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/
