Two men sentenced over rape of intoxicated woman in Northern Ireland
Two men have been sentenced to six years each for raping a woman in an underground car park in County Tyrone in September 2023. Luis Dos Martins Mariano and Alcino Soares, who were 17 at the time, pleaded guilty. Three years of each sentence will be served in prison and three on licence.
Two men have been sentenced to six years each for raping a woman in an underground car park in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Luis Dos Martins Mariano, now 20, and Alcino Soares, 21, previously pleaded guilty to rape. Both were 17 when the offence took place on September 10, 2023.
The victim was 19 at the time. At Downpatrick Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Richard Green ordered that three years of each sentence be served in prison and three years on licence. Both men appeared by video link from Hydebank prison.
The court heard that part of the incident was recorded by CCTV. Judge Green described the footage as disturbing and said the victim had endured a prolonged and humiliating ordeal. He praised her bravery in coming forward and described her as a survivor.
The prosecution said the woman had been drinking during a night out in Dungannon. She recalled being unable to stand properly or speak clearly before two men led her down an alleyway to the car park. One man raped her while the other watched, and she was raped again later, the court heard.
The judge said it should have been clear that she was intoxicated and unable to resist or call for help. He also said taking her to the car park indicated planning and foresight. The sentences took account of the defendants’ age at the time, learning difficulties, guilty pleas, delays in the case and time already spent in custody.
Defence lawyers said Mariano had a moderate learning disability and that Soares had language difficulties. Both expressed remorse. The men were placed on the sex offenders register for life and barred from working with children and young adults.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland described the attack as predatory and degrading.
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