Rapist convicted of attacks on fellow students
Alex Patel-Wells was a student at the University of Sussex at the time of the rapes and sexual assaults
- Published
A former University of Sussex student has been found guilty of raping or sexually assaulting five women, including four fellow students.
Alex Patel-Wells, 26, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday.
Sussex Police launched an investigation after a woman reported being raped at a property in Brighton, East Sussex, in October 2021.
Patel-Wells was arrested shortly after, and further enquiries identified four further victims spanning from 2018 to 2021.
The attacks happened at properties on the university campus, as well as in London and Brighton, including at Patel-Wells' home, according to police.
Patel-Wells, of Grove Road in Barnet, north London, was subsequently charged with five counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration.
A jury found Patel-Wells guilty of offences relating to every victim, namely four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration.
He was found not guilty of one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration.
'Courage and bravery'
Det Con Vicki Blythe said Patel-Wells was a "committed sexual offender".
"Each of these brave women has shown incredible courage to report and support this investigation," she said.
"Thanks to their help, a predatory offender has been convicted and will now face a significant prison sentence."
A University of Sussex spokesperson said: "We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment on our campus and we take seriously any reports of sexual misconduct.
"Our safeguarding policies, reporting routes and preventative education programmes are continuously reviewed and improved."
"Our thoughts are with the victims-survivors and we commend their courage and bravery in seeking justice in relation to such disturbing and traumatic matters."
Patel-Wells has been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on 19 December.
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