Sex Offender Busted After DNA Match During Police Job Check
A man has admitted to two chilling child sex assaults from 2017 in Ewell and Claygate – after his own DNA gave him away during a police job application seven years later.
Reinaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho’s Shocking Crimes
Reinaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho, 41, from London’s Askew Road, pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court on 13 May 2025. He admitted to sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault on a child under 13.
The DNA breakthrough came when Bertoni Filho submitted a sample applying to become a Police Community Support Officer with British Transport Police in September 2024. The sample matched evidence from two unsolved assaults on young girls.
The Attacks That Shocked Surrey
- 10 July 2017 – Ewell, Surrey A 15-year-old girl was cycling alone in Hogsmill Open Space when Bertoni Filho cornered her, forced her to the ground, and sexually assaulted her. The terrified teen fought back, biting and scratching his face, which made him flee. DNA collected from her clothing went into the national database but yielded no match until now.
- 17 August 2017 – Claygate Common A 10-year-old girl was grabbed while walking alone. The attacker pinned her against a tree and assaulted her sexually. She escaped by kicking him in the stomach. A family friend nearby saw Bertoni Filho jogging nearby in the same clothes and challenged him. He ran off, dropping an earbud that later provided the crucial DNA match.
DNA Leads to Arrest and Guilty Pleas
The DNA match from the 2024 vetting process confirmed Bertoni Filho as the culprit at both crime scenes. He was quickly arrested and charged.
He pleaded guilty earlier to sexual assault on a child under 13 and later admitted sexual assault by penetration. Sentencing is set for 25 July 2025 at Guildford Crown Court.
Police Praise Victims and Forensic Breakthrough
“Bertoni Filho was a dangerous sexual predator who targeted young girls in isolated areas. His audacity in applying to join the police ultimately led to his capture,” said Detective Sergeant Adele Robertson of Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team.
She hailed the victims for their “tremendous bravery” and added, “This case shows our commitment to continuing investigations, even after years have passed.”
BTP Chief Inspector Tracy Goddard-King added, “Thorough vetting ensured this man was caught, taken off the streets, and, crucially, prevented from joining the police.”
Support for Victims
If you’ve been affected by sexual assault, support and advice are available. Visit Surrey Police Sexual Offences Information & Reporting: https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro
