Moment woman bravely fights off serial sex attacker who assaulted six people

A woman was able to scare off a sex attacker who had been preying on lone women in the streets of Brighton.

The unidentified woman filmed Hanok Zeray as he tried to touch her, begging him to ‘please go away’ in October.

Police were able to use the footage to identify Zeray and he was arrested shortly after.

Zeray, 32, was sentenced to eight years and three months in July.

It was found he had sexually assaulted six women in public spaces last year.

A woman had also reported being raped ion the Old Steine on April 16.

Zeray was arrested the following day on suspicion of rape, but he was released under investigation.

Just one month later two women reported being assaulted in London Road and Southover street.

The woman was able to film Hanok Zeray as he tried to touch her (Picture: Sussex Police)

One of the women was chased by Zeray down her street, but she only managed to escape by locking herself in her flat.

In October, a third woman reported being sexually assaulted by a stranger in Elm Grove.

She said Zeray harrassed her persistently, but she was able to film the incident on her mobile phone.

Officers arrested him once again and he was charged with rape and three counts of sexual assault.

While remanded in custody, three more women came forward to report being attacked by him.

Zeray, 32, was sentenced to eight years and three months in July (Picture: Sussex Police)

One took place just five minutes before Zeray was filmed assaulting the woman on Elm Grove.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on February 24, Zeray pleaded guilty to all six counts of sexual assault and not guilty to rape.

The rape charge was later discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Constable Amy Pemberton-Hill said: ‘Hanok Zeray was a committed offender who presented a clear danger to lone women and girls.

‘I would like to thank all these women for reporting his crimes to police and supporting the investigation through to prosecution.

Zeray also chased one woman down the street (Picture: Sussex Police)

‘The streets of Brighton and Hove are a safer place as a result.’

Superintendent Adele Tucknott, Sussex Police’s lead for violence against women and girls, said: ‘The behaviour shown by Hanok Zeray will not be tolerated in Sussex – from the persistent harassment of women through to the sexual assaults for which he has been jailed.

‘Women and girls should be safe to walk the streets alone at any time of day or night without being targeted by predatory men.

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

‘In an emergency, always call 999. 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.’

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Hanok Zeray was jailed for more than eight years after attacking six women.