As she constantly urged him, “Please go away,” this is the moment a woman valiantly battled off a sex assailant, Brighton Paedophile Hanok Zeray. Among the six lone women Hanok Zeray, 32, was targeted and sexually raped in Brighton city centre last year. Legal considerations prevent her from being named, but the woman has agreed to the released clip.
The woman can be heard repeatedly urging Hanok Zeray to leave her alone as he continues to ask her where she is from in the video filmed on her cell phone at a bus stop in October.
He then seems to slant in to try to hug her. Pulling away, she adds, “Don’t touch me; I don’t like being touched.” A struggle then starts, and the woman yells in a loud voice.
The woman told Sussex Police about the terrifying meeting, and they arrested Hanok Zeray later.
Following a woman’s allegation of rape on 16 April at Brighton’s Old Steine, an inquiry was started. Suspected of rape, Hanok Zeray was detained the following day but released under inquiry until evidence was gathered to support a charge.
Two ladies claimed early morning sexual assault on London Road and Southover Street on May 22.
Later revealed as Hanok Zeray, the victim of Southover Street, was pursued by a stranger but managed to flee by locking herself in her flat.
Investigations were underway to find a culprit when, on October 23, a third woman claimed to have been sexually assaulted in the city by an unidentified stranger. He tormented her relentlessly, yet it was she who caught the sexual attack on camera.
Hanok Zeray was detained soon after police spotted him on the video. Charged with rape and three counts of sexual assault, he was remanded in detention.
After three more women came forward to disclose being attacked, Zeray was charged with three more counts of sexual assault while on custody. One on the 22 May on London Road, one on Gladstone Place on 19 June, and a third on 23 October – five minutes before Hanok Zeray was recorded attacking the woman who recorded him.
Hanok Zeray entered not guilty to rape but a guilty plea to all six counts of sexual assault at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on February 24. The Crown Prosecution Service later withdrew the rape allegation.
Hanok Zeray was sentenced to eight years and three months in jail with an additional five-year licence period at Lewes Crown Court on 21 July.
Superintendent Adele Tucknott, lead for violence against women and girls in Sussex Police, said: “The behaviour displayed by Hanok Zeray will not be accepted in Sussex – from the relentless harassing of women through to the sexual assaults for which he has been imprisoned. Women and girls should be free to stroll the streets alone at any time of day or night without being singled out by predatory guys.
“We have many strategies to keep people secure at night, so any events must be reported so that we may respond positively. Call 999 always in an emergency. Additionally available for download is the Safe Space app, which features a list of approved safe areas all around Sussex where one could get assistance. Get the app from this link. Safe: Sussex – Safe Space Sussex Application.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.