Brutal Attack in Eastbourne: Three Sentenced, Fourth to Follow
Life-Changing Assault Rocks Eastbourne
Three men were slammed with hefty jail terms at Brighton Crown Court on Tuesday (March 2) after brutally assaulting a 26-year-old Portuguese man in Eastbourne back in October 2019. A fourth suspect, Maximiliano Pereira, 25, awaits sentencing.
Hunted Down and Beaten Like Prey
The men—Bruno Tavares, Carlos Semedo, Rui Pereira, and Maximiliano Pereira—chased their victim into a dead-end on St James Road at around 5.30pm on October 8, 2019. They pummeled him relentlessly, punching, kicking, and stamping on his head, even attempting to continue the savage attack while paramedics gave first aid.
Long Prison Terms for Callous Attackers
- Bruno Tavares, 33 – Pleaded guilty in 2019; jailed for 10 years and six months.
- Rui Pereira, 29 – Pleaded guilty in 2020; sentenced to 11 years and 11 months.
- Carlos Semedo, 25 – Found guilty at trial; handed 13 years and three months.
- Maximiliano Pereira, 25 – Convicted but sentencing pending.
Investigator’s Grim Description and Victim’s Heartbreaking Struggle
“These four men attacked the victim so brutally that day, the judge likened their actions to a pack of animals cornering their prey,” said DC Elliott Lander.
“The victim’s family shared an emotional statement, revealing he is physically and mentally scarred, missing the birth of a child and still in rehab nearly 17 months later. His life has been shattered forever.”
“We are pleased to see the sentences reflect the severity of the attack,” the officer added.
The suspects were arrested days later in Southampton after fleeing Eastbourne. The victim remains in a rehabilitation centre, fighting to reclaim his life.
