Nomadic sexual predator who drugged and raped women and children across seaside city is jailed for life - as broken victims tell of their lasting anguish and sorrow

A nomadic sexual predator who drugged and assaulted women and children has been jailed for life.

Shane Blue Gibbs preyed upon vulnerable victims, including two aged 15, in Brighton and Hove between October and December 2023.

While living a nomadic lifestyle moving between hotel rooms and Airbnb properties on the seafront, Gibbs stupefied his six victims with drugs and alcohol to the extent they were unable to stop him raping them.

In a statement, one of Gibbs victims said she had been broken to the extent she didnt want to be herself again.

She said: It has taken me a month nearly to write this statement with the months running up to it thinking about how best to get you to understand the impact this man has had on me, my life which then extends to my childrens lives.

The truth is there isnt one, I couldnt put into words the level of anguish and sorrow for you to comprehend just how much Shane has broken me.

“I can’t love the way I loved before because I cannot trust the way I did. 

I feel violated by Shane Gibbs and I think that even the thought of him doing what he did to us is horrible, another victim said.

Shane Blue Gibbs (pictured) preyed upon six victims, including two children aged 15, who he stupefied with alcohol and drugs before assaulting them. He was handed a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 18 years and 299 days in custody

We were all so vulnerable and I look much younger than my age. This has opened my eyes to a lot.

At first I didnt realise I had been raped but then the feeling that I couldnt move, I blamed myself at first and my mental health declined. The mania I felt showed how poorly I was and I have since been diagnosed as having PTSD. 

She added: I feel like a different person to who I was before Shane raped me.

Gibbs, 35, of no fixed address, was located in a Portsmouth Hotel on January 4, 2024, while his victims were supported by specialist officers.

Jennifer Knight KC, prosecuting, said Gibbs victims woke up to find themselves without clothes on or partially naked.

On one occasion, Gibbs recorded himself throwing money over two of the women at the Mal Maison hotel.

Lewes Crown Court heard that each of the victims had to be tested for HIV after it emerged that Gibbs had sex while aware he himself had tested positive.

He also assaulted and abused his former partner, who he strangled to the point she became unconscious, the BBC reported. 

Gibbs was found guilty on 15 charges, including seven counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count each of intentional strangulation, false imprisonment and causing actual bodily harm - all of which he denied.

He was found not guilty on one charge of rape during the trial on November 29.

The sexual predator was handed a life sentence at the same court on Friday March 14 and ordered to serve at least 18 years and 299 days in custody.

Detective Constable Vicki Blythe said: Shane Gibbs subjected these women to horrific ordeals, but thanks to their strength and determination he has now faced justice.

No jail sentence can make up for the trauma he has inflicted, but I hope these six brave victims now have the time and space to move on with their lives

Gibbs led a nomadic lifestyle and moved between hotel rooms and Airbnb properties in Brighton where he preyed upon his vulnerable victims

Emma Lile of the Crown Prosecution Service said: Gibbs was a sexual predator who went around the Brighton coastline preying on vulnerable young women in pursuit of his own hideous purposes.

We would like to extend a special thanks to the victims who came forward to report these crimes and gave evidence to the court about their horrific experiences.

These convictions send a very clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who abuse or sexually exploit women.

I encourage any victims of violence against women and girls in whatever form to report the crimes committed against them. It is never too late to seek justice - you are not alone and there is help available.