Moment where woman begs ‘please go away’ as she bravely fights sex attacker who constantly tries to touch her – as he faces 13 years in prison for assaulting six lonely women

This is when a brave woman fought a sex attacker who has since been jailed for eight years for assaulting single women near Brighton.

Footage shows the unidentified woman telling a grinning Hanok Zeray “please go away” as he continually tries to touch her and harasses her in the street.

The woman was able to record the assault on her cell phone, allowing police to identify Zeray and he was arrested shortly after.

Zeray, 32, from Brighton, targeted single women in central Brighton several times in 2022 and sexually assaulted six women in public areas.

On Friday 21 July, Zeray was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to eight years and three months’ imprisonment, with an extended license term of five years.

The brave woman filmed the incident and the police were able to identify the suspect from the video

An investigation was launched after a woman reported being raped at the Old Steine ​​in Brighton on April 16. She was supported by specialist agents and Zeray was arrested the next day on suspicion of rape.

He was released for investigation while evidence was gathered to press charges.

On Sunday 22 May, two women reported sexual assault on London Road and Southover Street in the early hours of the morning.

The Southover Street victim was chased by a stranger – later identified as Zeray – but managed to escape by locking herself in her flat.

Attempts were underway to identify a suspect when on October 23, a third woman reported being sexually assaulted by a stranger in Elm Grove.

He harassed her continuously, but she managed to film him on her cell phone and videotape the assault.

Officers identified Zeray from the footage and he was arrested soon after.

He was charged with rape and three counts of assault and taken into custody.

Footage shows the unidentified woman telling a grinning Hanok Zeray “please go away”

Zeray was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison, with an extended license term of five years

Zeray, 32, from Brighton, targeted single women in Brighton city center several times in 2022

Police said: ‘I want to thank all these women for reporting his crimes to the police and supporting the investigation all the way to prosecution’ (photo by Zeray)

While on remand, Zeray was charged with three additional counts of assault after three more women came forward to report being assaulted.

One on May 22 in London Road, one in Gladstone Place on June 19 and a third on October 23 – five minutes before Zeray was filmed attacking the woman in Elm Grove.

At the Brighton Magistrates’ Court on February 24, Zeray pleaded guilty to all six charges of sexual assault and not guilty to rape. The rape allegation was later dropped by the prosecution.

Detective Amy Pemberton-Hill said: “Hanok Zeray was a committed offender who posed a clear danger to single women and girls.

“I want to thank all these women for reporting his crimes to the police and supporting the investigation through to prosecution.

‘The streets of Brighton and Hove have become safer as a result.’

Superintendent Adele Tucknott, Sussex Police Chief for Violence against Women and Girls, said: ‘Hanok Zeray’s behavior will not be tolerated in Sussex – from the persistent harassment of women to the assaults for which he is in prison.

“Women and girls should be able to safely walk down the street alone at any time of the day or night without becoming the target of predatory men.

“We have a range of measures in place to keep people safe at night and it is so important that incidents are reported so that we can take positive action.

‘Always dial 999 in an emergency. You can also download the Safe Space app, which has a list of designated safe spaces across Sussex where you can seek help. Download the app here Safe:Space Sussex – Safe Space Sussex application.’