A suspected serial rapist has been remanded in custody to appear before a crown court judge and to await a trial by jury.
The man is accused of attacking a woman in her thirties and two teenage girls over the past two years.
Today (Monday 15 July) Sussex Police said that the Shoreham man had been charged with several serious sexual offences against the three complainants.
The force said: “Detectives in Sussex have charged a man with 18 counts of rape and serious sexual assaults related to two teenage girls and a woman.”
Sahil Ali, 19, of Corbyn Crescent, Shoreham, has been charged with nine counts of rape of a woman over 16 years of age.
He has also been charged with five counts of rape of a girl aged 13 to 15, two counts of assault by penetration, actual bodily harm (ABH) and intentional strangulation.
The alleged offences are reported to have taken place in West Sussex between dates in November 2022 and this month.
The complainants – a woman in her thirties and two teenage girls – are all known to Ali and, Sussex Police said, they were being supported by specially trained officers.
Ali appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (10 July) and was remanded in custody.
He is due to appear at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday 8 August.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett said: “A complex investigation is ongoing into these distressing allegations and I would like to thank each of these victims for coming forward and reporting to police.
“Making sure women and girls feel safe on the streets of Sussex is a key focus for Sussex Police and we carry out a huge amount of work with our partners to protect vulnerable people, deter offending, hold perpetrators to account and support victims.
“That commitment includes our early adoption of the national Op Soteria model to improve the quality of our rape investigations and ensure victims are given the support they deserve as we look to secure the best possible outcome for them.
“If you have any information that you feel could help this ongoing investigation, please contact police online or via 101, quoting Op Copper or serial 888 of 11/07.
“If you are a victim of sexual offences, please report to us via the same channels, or dial 999 in an emergency.
“We will believe you, we will support you and we will do all we can to secure you the justice you deserve.”
