A Brazilian man has been locked up for 13 years after raping a 17-year-old boy during a holiday visit to Brighton. Rafael Nascimento, 38, was convicted of four counts of rape following a trial at Lewes Crown Court.
Predator Lured Teen on Seaside Street
Last August, Nascimento spotted the teenager sitting alone on a bench in Dyke Road in the early hours. He struck up a conversation, asking for directions to a nearby cigarette shop. Police say Nascimento used this as a ploy to gain the boy’s trust before leading him to a property on Regent Hill where the horrific assault took place.
Quick Reporting Prevented Escape
The victim bravely reported the attack the same day, allowing Sussex Police to swoop and arrest Nascimento before he could board a flight back to Brazil the next morning. Officers warned that any delay might have let the rapist slip through the net and evade justice completely.
“Their bravery in reporting the offence promptly played a crucial role in helping us swiftly identify, locate, and apprehend a dangerous predator,” said Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett. “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.”
Championing Male Victims of Sexual Violence
DCI Cobbett praised the victim’s courage and expressed hope that the sentence would help with his recovery. He also highlighted an ongoing issue:
“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.”
Nascimento, who was staying near the scene at the time, will serve his sentence in the UK.
