Men convicted of rape in Royal Pavilion Gardens in Brighton

Ashley Lewis, 35, and Dylan Holden, 18, were found guilty of raping a 17-year-old girl in Royal Pavilion Gardens in Brighton.

Lewis had covertly filmed women on Brighton beach before the attack in June 2021.

Afterwards, Holden, who was known to the victim, sent texts to her claiming he tried to protect her.

The court heard how the victim did not remember the evening of the attack and that passers-by had to intervene to protect her.

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “Lewis acted as a sexual predator that day, first filming women covertly on Brighton beach, before targeting the victim, who was too drunk to consent to any sexual activity.

“Holden took advantage of a woman who thought he was her friend in a gross breach of her trust, but he went on to lie to her afterwards, pretending he had tried to help her, while she was trying to piece together the events of the evening.

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“The truth was he took advantage of her, alongside Lewis, with both of them targeting a woman who was too drunk to consent to any sexual activity.

“Each defendant had denied what they had done, choosing to blame the other, but our case was clear – that they were both involved in a joint attack."

Lewis had travelled to Brighton from London that day.

He had not met Holden before the attack.

DNA evidence from the attack placed both men at the scene of the crime.

Lewis was also convicted of stealing the victim’s bag which had her mobile phone, bank cards and purse.

He went on to sexually assault a woman in London just months later.

Stock photo of police in Pavilion Gardens

The CPS spokesman added: "This shows what a danger he poses to women.

“We hope that these convictions bring some comfort to the victims in this case.”

Lewis and Holden were convicted at Hove Crown Court on Tuesday, November 15. The pair are due to be sentenced on Thursday, January 5.