Tourist, 38, rapes boy in UK seaside town | UK | News
A tourist raped a child in a popular UK destination seaside town He was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Brazilian national Rafael Nascimento, 38, was on vacation. Brightonwhen he took the 17-year-old to a property in Regent Hill, East Sussex, and raped her.
The victim was sitting on a bench waiting for public transport to restart in the early hours of August 10 last year when Nascimento approached him and began chatting. He asked where he could buy cigarettes, and in an attempt to help, the boy took him to a nearby shop.
Sussex Police said Nascimento gradually gained the boy’s trust and took him to the property where the monster raped him.
The police were soon called and the Brazilian was arrested on the same day he committed this heinous crime. He was due to leave England the day after the crime.
The sexual predator was charged with one count of rape and appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court just two days after targeting the teenager.
He was later accused of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of inciting a person to sexual activity.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and the case was sent to trial. But jurors found him guilty of all charges except two counts of sexual assault at the end of a two-week trial at Lewes Crown Court on February 2.
The judge at the same court sentenced him to 13 years in prison on Friday, April 17.
Det Ch Insp Steve Cobbett said: “As sentencing is completed, we would like to recognize the bravery and resilience shown by the victim throughout.
“Their bravery in reporting the crime played a crucial role in helping us quickly identify, locate and capture a dangerous predator.”
He said Nascimento was visiting England for a holiday.
Mr Cobbett added: “Had the victim delayed reporting what happened, there is a very real possibility Nascimento would have fled the country before we had the chance to arrest him and bring him to justice.
“While nothing can undo the trauma a victim has experienced, we hope this sentence will provide some sense of closure and help them continue to heal.”
DCI Cobbett said sexual offenses could happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, and it was vital that all victims were able to come forward.
She added: “Crimes against men are still under-reported, often due to fear, shame or stigma. We want victims to know they can report to us in confidence. You will be listened to, treated with respect, supported throughout and your reporting will be taken seriously.”
