A sexual predator who was caught trying to rape a woman on a beach is still on the run.
Bereke Russom stalked the woman before attacking her in Brighton and was only stopped by a beach patrol on a quad bike.
He was sentenced to eight years in his absence after he failed to turn up to Lewes Crown Court, sitting in Brighton, for sentencing.
The 32-year-old Eritrean, who was on bail during his trial in January, did not return after seeing CCTV evidence that proved he lied to police.
Richard Sedgwick, prosecuting, said efforts to locate Russom had failed.
Russom was last sighted in Leeds and West Yorkshire Police are leading enquiries to locate him.
Lewes Crown Court heard Russom travelled to Brighton from Gatwick on the night of the attack.
He was near the seafront at around 3am on August 27, 2022.
Beach patrol spotted him on top of the distressed woman and called police.
The court heard the woman had been on a night out when she became separated from her group.
After realising she was alone, the woman rang her friend.
Russom snatched the phone from her and carried on talking, refusing to say where they were, before hanging up.
He dragged the woman to the beach where he pinned her to the ground.
The woman told police she recalled Russom forcing himself on top of her and pushing her down.
She told him to stop.
In her victim’s personal statement, the woman said she was changed completely by the attack.
“After that night, I lost a part of myself I’m no longer sure I will ever get back,” she said.
Russom claimed he had been talking with the woman all night after she approached him in a bar.
He needed a translator in court and said he could not go into any bars after forgetting his ID.
CCTV gathered by police showed the woman was on her own when he grabbed her phone.
A camera near Brighton Palace Pier showed Russom leading the woman onto the beach.
A jury found him guilty following a five-day trial.
Russom was sentenced to eight years for attempted rape and six years concurrent for sexual assault by penetration.
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If he is apprehended, Russom will spend at least two thirds of his sentence in custody before being eligible to apply for parole.
He will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Detective Inspector Kirstie Neal of Sussex Police said: “I would like to commend the victim for her bravery and for her support of our investigation, including through a difficult trial process.
“I also want to thank the witnesses who came forward to give evidence to help ensure we obtained a conviction in this case. Russom took the cowardly option to stop attending court.
“But thanks to the courage of the victim and witnesses he has been tried and sentenced in his absence.
“This case demonstrates our determination to get justice for victims of rape and sexual abuse. Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Sussex Police, and we continue to urge all victims to report their experience to the police.
“We continue to work with partner organisations to help locate Russom, and anyone with information about his whereabouts can report it to Sussex Police online or by calling 01273 470101 and quoting serial 173 of 27/08/2022. Alternatively contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
