27/10/2025
A man who was sentenced for the rape of three vulnerable teenage girls in West Sussex can now be revealed.
Sahil Ali bragged about signing for Brighton in online posts before he raped three vulnerable young women between 2022 and 2024. Ali, 21, joined the top-flight club as an academy player in 2013, before claiming online he joined the senior squad in 2017 and had spells at Millwall and Barnet.
His profile suggests he joined the ranks at a time when ex-Brighton managers Chris Hughton and Gus Poyet were in charge. But a court has now heard he used violence, threats and drugs to rape and sexually abuse three women in Sussex, the youngest of whom was only 15. Ali was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of seven rapes, intentional strangulation and sexual assault by penetration.
Sahil Ali used social media to contact the girls, using violence and threats to rape and sexually abuse them between 2022 and 2024.
The offences were often committed in his car, where he would overpower the vulnerable girls.
The 21-year-old stood trial and was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court on 6 March this year for seven counts of rape, one count of intentional strangulation, and one count of sexual assault by penetration.
Ali, a British PAKIstani national with a passport, formerly of an address in West Sussex, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with a further five years added on licence for dangerousness.
This means he will not be released automatically half way through serving his sentence, but must serve a minimum of two thirds of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.
He was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting his access to children and computer equipment, was also imposed until further order.
The sentencing hearing was made on 26 June at Lewes Crown Court and initial reporting of the case outcome was delayed for legal reasons, but can now be revealed.
Following the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Andrew Harbour said: “Ali preyed on vulnerable teenage girls, making demands on them and using violence to make them comply.
“The case has had a profound impact on the three victims, and I commend them for their courage to come forward and report their experiences to the police.
“We take reports of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously, and encourage anyone impacted by these offences to come forward to us and report what has happened.
“After a trial, Ali was found guilty of the offences, and he is now serving a significant custodial sentence.”
Guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault about help and support is available online here.
Further guidance on how Sussex Police investigates reports of rape and serious sexual assault is available online here.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/premier-league-rising-star-jailed-36379341
“He’s a pathetic little boy who wanted to feel powerful,” she said. The second victim was 29 but with a mental age of someone much younger, the court heard. Ali took money from her and made revenge porn threats while he was on bail. His third victim was only 15.
He raped her twice during violent, drug fuelled attacks and was arrested and bailed again. Ali throttled her to the point where she could not breathe, the court heard. She said: “I wanted to be a dentist. I was achieving in school. I was 15. He was 19. I stopped going to school. My friends would ask me about bruises. It has affected everyone around me. I still struggle with sleeping and have flashbacks of him strangling me.”
Judge Christine Laing KC told Ali his utterly unrestrained behaviour despite being on bail and his attitude to the offences and victims was very disturbing. “I detect no real remorse from you,” the judge said. “Other than for the position you now find yourself in, you take no responsibility for your actions, blaming porn, your victims and the minimisation of your behaviour [is] quite breathtaking.
“You seemed wholly unconcerned about your behaviour. You still do not have any appreciation of the gravity of your offending. Your own moral compass is clearly set seriously askew. You had a career as professional footballer ahead of you which will now be lost.”
Following the sentencing, Det Supt Andrew Harbour said: “Ali preyed on vulnerable teenage girls, making demands on them and using violence to make them comply. The case has had a profound impact on the three victims, and I commend them for their courage to come forward and report their experiences to the police.
“We take reports of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously, and encourage anyone impacted by these offences to come forward to us and report what has happened. After a trial, Ali was found guilty of the offences, and he is now serving a significant custodial sentence.”