Three men have been sentenced following a series of violent altercations at Rockwater, a venue on Hove seafront, which left several people injured during a celebration on the evening of November 25, 2022.
The defendants, Abdulmajid Mohamed, 30, of Chiswick, Fouad Al Soufah, 29, of Hounslow, and Michael Evans, 29, of Isleworth, were involved in a string of violent incidents that resulted in serious injuries to multiple victims.
The violence erupted when Mohamed and Al Soufah confronted three men outside the venue. Mohamed held two of the men against a marquee, while Al Soufah punched a 23-year-old from Southwark in the face. Moments later, Mohamed struck another 23-year-old from Bromley in the head, leading to chaos as guests and staff fled the scene.
Inside the venue, Mohamed escalated the situation by grabbing a heavy tequila bottle from behind the bar and causing further damage. Though the bottle was wrestled from his hands, he soon re-armed himself, resulting in more violent incidents involving all three men.
Later, Evans and Al Soufah attacked a 21-year-old man from Brighton outside the venue, pushing him to the ground and kicking him repeatedly. Mohamed joined in, breaking the victim’s ankle. When a 21-year-old from Chichester attempted to help, Mohamed struck him with a bottle, causing severe lacerations to his forehead. Another man reported being hit from behind by Mohamed while trying to call the police.
Officers quickly responded to the violence, arresting Mohamed and Evans as they attempted to flee the scene. Al Soufah later voluntarily attended a police interview in February 2023.
Following a trial, Mohamed was found guilty of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and affray, while Al Soufah was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent, affray, and assault. Evans was convicted of affray and causing grievous bodily harm without intent.
In September 2024, at Hove Crown Court, Al Soufah was sentenced to four years in prison, while Evans received a 12-month suspended sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation programme. Mohamed, who failed to appear in court, was sentenced in absentia to six years in prison and is currently wanted by police.
Investigating Officer Jonathan Craze said, “The victims in this case suffered long-lasting injuries, and we are satisfied that these sentences reflect the gravity of the violence inflicted by these three men, who attacked others with little or no provocation.”
Police have urged anyone with information on Mohamed’s whereabouts to contact them by calling 999 and quoting reference 28 of 26/11/2022.