Former Sussex University student jailed for rapes

A former University of Sussex student, who claimed he was "irresistible" to the opposite sex, has been sentenced to 25 years for raping and sexually assaulting five women.

Alex Patel-Wills showed a sense of entitlement and not the "slightest remorse" towards his victims, the judge said during the sentencing at Lewes Crown Court.

The 26-year-old was dealing Class A drugs to other students, which he described as performing a "social service", the judge added.

He raped four fellow students and another woman while studying in Brighton.

One woman was attacked when Patel-Wills was already on police bail and under investigation by the university for another rape allegation.

Sexual assaults took place on campus, as well as at his home in Brighton, and in London, according to Sussex Police.

The University of Sussex said it "condemns all forms of sexual violence, rape and abuse of women and is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment on our campus".

A spokesperson said a new independent review had been commissioned to ensure its "safeguarding and reporting arrangements remain robust, effective, and aligned with current best practice".

Patel-Wills, of Grove Road in Barnet, north London, used his drug dealing to make contact with vulnerable young women, the court heard.

He used drugs and alcohol to subdue his victims before assaulting them in their student accommodation or in his room on campus.

"Sexual activity with women who are asleep or unconscious seem to be a predilection of yours," the judge Christine Laing KC told him.

One of Patel-Wills' victims said: "I no longer feel safe in my own body or in the world around me.

"The anxiety is like a weight I can't lift.

"I used to know who I was, now I'm trying to rebuild myself from pieces," she continued.

"The trauma lives everywhere in me."

Sussex Police Det Con Vicki Blythe said she was sincerely grateful to these "brave women" for reporting Patel-Wills' crimes and helping "put him behind bars".

Patel-Wills, who showed no emotion while the sentence was passed, was found guilty after a trial of four rapes, two sexual assaults and one assault by penetration.

His sentence will be served as 19 years in custody, with a further six on extended licence, where he will live in the community while supervised by police.

He will remain on the sex offender register for life.

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