Man says he was 'terrified' after alleged rape

A man said he was "terrified" after being dragged into a doorway and allegedly raped by two men in Brighton, a court heard.

George Ellis, 41, from Esher, and Mark Lett, 43, from Chessington, are also charged with causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence.

The alleged assault took place in Steine Lane on 21 December 2024, when the teenager told police he was trying to get home after Christmas drinks with friends, the jury at Hove Crown Court heard.

Ellis and Lett both deny the charges.

The court heard that the teenager told police he was "terrified" after the alleged attack and was drunk, cold and covered in his own blood.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told police "I hadn't slept, I was terrified and bruised", the court heard.

The jury was told a bus driver refused to let the teenager on as his phone had a flat battery which meant he could not pay the fare.

He then waited a few minutes at the bus stop before deciding to walk to a friend's house, the court heard.

He told the court the two men attacked him after picking him up at a bus stop, and that he was dragged into a doorway.

The teenager and members of the public were caught on CCTV chasing two men after the alleged attack, the jury was told.

Lett and Ellis were arrested on Boxing Day 2024.

The trial continues.

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