Aynul Hoque jailed for rape of unconscious man on Brighton beach

Off duty paramedics saw rapist Aynul Hoque with the man on Brighton beach.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had been on a night out and went to sit on the beach after meeting friends.

But Hoque, 32, drank vodka with the man, and when he became “deeply unconscious” Hoque pulled down his trousers and raped him in a “truly horrific” attack.

It left the victim feeling so depressed that he felt suicidal and feared he had HIV.

At Brighton Crown Court Hoque was jailed for eight years for the sex attack.

Jennifer Gray, prosecuting, said the incident happened at about 5am on August 1 last year.

The victim was friendly and had talked with Hoque, but after passing out, Hoque raped him.

Ms Gray said Hoque had possessed a balaclava and condoms which suggested he may have been planning to commit a sex attack.

Off duty paramedics had got up early to see the sunset, and witnessed the horror unfold.

They helped bring the victim out of unconsciousness and called the police.

When officers arrived they found Hoque was still pleasuring himself next to the victim.

The victim said: “After this incident happened I felt confused. I was surrounded by police and ambulances, I felt shocked.

Brighton beach deserted

“It has made me feel really up and down. I worried about getting HIV. When I waited for test results I felt really bad about myself.

"I didn't know how to deal with what happened, it broke me."

Ravi Dogra, defending, said Hoque arrived in the UK from Bangladesh in 2005 and had previously escaped an unhappy arranged marriage.

As a gay man he was “stuck in a conservative culture” where his sexuality risked him being subjected to violence.

Her Honour Judge Laing QC said the incident was a “stranger rape” and said Hoque had taken advantage of the victim being friendly.

She said: “This was a dreadful offence. Someone had been good enough to be prepared to have a conversation with you and allowed you to have some of his alcohol.

“Nothing can explain why on earth that when he became unconscious, deeply unconscious, you then chose to rape him.

“I have heard about your background in your home country, if anything that increases my concern about why you behaved in the way you did, showing absolutely no restraint in raping the victim as he lay on that beach.”

Aynul Hoque has been jailed for rape on Brighton beach

Detective Constable Stephen Nutley said: “The victim in this case had been enjoying a visit to the city when he was subjected to this truly horrific attack. It has caused him a great deal of trauma and distress, and he has been supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation.

“On the night in question, he had been walking along the seafront after a night out with friends. He had stopped and had friendly conversations with a number of people, before heading down to sit on the beach. It was there that the suspect took advantage of the victim.

“Thanks to the vigilance of members of the public, and the swift response by officers, we were able to arrest the suspect at the scene.

“We built a strong case and despite Hoque initially denying the offence, he later pleaded guilty. The fact he was in possession of a balaclava, in our mind, shows he was intent on committing an offence that night.

“We are pleased to see the severity of the attack reflected in the sentence handed out by the judge today.”

Hoque, of New England Road, Brighton, is now behind bars.