A tourist has been jailed for raping a teenager who was waiting for public transport in Brighton in the early hours of the morning last summer. Brazilian national Rafael Nascimento, who was visiting the seaside town on holiday and staying at a property nearby, was sentenced to 13 years at Lewes Crown Court on April 17 for his crimes.
The 17-year-old victim had been sitting on a bench in Dyke Road, Brighton, waiting for public transport to restart on August 10, when he was approached by Nascimento. The 38-year-old started a conversation with the teenager and asked where he could buy cigarettes at this time of night. The victim offered his help and took Nascimento to a nearby shop.
The attacker then worked on gaining the teenager's trust and took him to a property in Regent Hill, where he raped him. The attacker was due to return to Brazil the following day, but the offence was quickly reported, and Nascimento was arrested the same day after police intercepted him returning to the address.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett, commended the victim for coming forward and encouraged people of all genders to report sexual crimes without fear of stigma.
He said: "With sentencing now complete, we want to recognise the courage and resilience the victim has shown throughout. Their bravery in reporting the offence promptly played a crucial role in helping us swiftly identify, locate, and apprehend a dangerous predator.
"Nascimento was visiting the UK on holiday and was due to return to Brazil the day after the offence. Had the victim delayed reporting what happened, there is every possibility that Nascimento could have left the country before we had the chance to arrest him and bring him to justice.
"While nothing can undo the trauma the victim has experienced, we hope this sentence provides some sense of closure and helps them to continue to heal."
He continued: "Sexual offences can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, and it is vital that all victims feel able to come forward. Offences against men remain under-reported, often because of fear, embarrassment, 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 report will be taken seriously."
Nascimento was initially charged with one count of rape of a male and appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court on August 12.
He was later further charged with three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and causing a person to incite in sexual activity. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and the case was sent for trial.
On February 2, after a two-week trial at Lewes Crown Court, the jury found Nascimento guilty of four counts of rape and causing a person to incite in sexual activity. They found him not guilty of the sexual assault charges. Nascimento was handed 13 years behind bars for his crimes.
If you have been affected by any themes in this story, you can call Rape Crisis for free 24-hours a day on 0808 500 2222. You can also visit the website to start a free online chat.
