Brighton bus passengers may hold clues to rape case

Passengers on a bus in Brighton may be able to help police officers investigating a rape case.

Sussex Police said that witnesses were being asked to come forward if they were on a bus on New Year’s Day when a woman became so distressed that the driver stopped.

The bus – a number 7 operated by Brighton and Hove Buses – waited in Eastern Road in Kemp Town until police arrived.

The distressed woman, a 22-year-old, had boarded the eastbound bus at Upper Rock Gardens at about 8am on Wednesday 1 January.

Ali Badaru, 22, of Atlingworth Street, Brighton, was arrested the next day and charged with raping the woman in Brighton.

He is due to appear at Lewes Crown Court on Friday 21 March.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.