A former University of Sussex student has been found guilty of a shocking string of sex attacks on five women – four of them fellow students – after a major Sussex Police probe.

Predator Strikes Again and Again

Alex Patel-Wells, 26, from Barnet, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday (16 October) for a series of brutal offences committed between 2018 and 2021. The jury found him guilty of multiple rapes and sexual assaults spanning Brighton and London.

The police investigation kicked off when a woman bravely reported being raped by Patel-Wells at a Brighton property on 31 October 2021. After his swift arrest, a further four victims came forward, revealing a chilling pattern of predatory behaviour across several years.

Horror Attacks Across Brighton and London

• One teenager was raped and sexually abused multiple times in Brighton between 2018 and 2019.
• Another woman was attacked in a London property while vulnerable during the same period.
• In 2020, one woman suffered a sexual assault at the University of Sussex campus.
• Four months later, Patel-Wells raped another victim at his Brighton home.

Guilty on Most Counts, Sentencing Looms

Patel-Wells faced five counts of rape, two of sexual assault, and two of assault by penetration. The jury convicted him on four counts of rape, two of sexual assault, and one of assault by penetration. He was cleared of one count each of rape and assault by penetration.

He remains in custody and faces sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on 19 December.

Police Praise Victims’ Bravery

“Patel-Wells is a committed sexual offender, who targeted multiple women. Each of these brave women has shown incredible courage to report and support this investigation. Thanks to their help, a predatory offender has been convicted and will now face a significant prison sentence.” – Detective Constable Vicki Blythe

Detective Blythe urged any other victims to come forward: “Sussex Police is committed to supporting victims of sexual offending and doing all we can to secure the justice they deserve. If you are a victim, please report to us in confidence online, via 101, or by calling 999 in an emergency.”