Please be advised that this case contains harrowing details of the sustained and repeated attack which were heard in court
A man has admitted subjecting a random woman to a horrific sexual attack in an underground car park.
Luis Dos Martins Mariano, 19, from Sloan Street and co-accused 20-year-old Alcino Soares, of Braeside both in Dungannon in Co Tyrone, were jointly charged with rape on September 10, 2023.
Back in March the pair appeared together at Dungannon Crown Court where Mariano admitted rape but Soares initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea to guilty today.
Mariano was remanded in custody after a judge rejected a defence application to allow him to remain on bail ahead of sentencing stating: “He has pleaded guilty to a very serious offence and will no doubt face a lengthy period of imprisonment. I don’t believe bail is appropriate.”
Meanwhile a defence barrister for Soares said the trial would last about one week. While attempts were made to have the matter heard the defence raised concerns over Soares ability to understand proceedings and that he did not appear to have any one particular language with which to communicate.
“He came from East Timor at the age of 10 and has not adequately developed his own language or English,” it was claimed.
Numerous adjournments followed while a range of expert reports were obtained and at one stage a prosecuting lawyer, perturbed by the continual delay, advised he had a expert on standby to complete his own reports.
Last week the court learned Soares was fit to stand trial which was to begin today (Monday) but just as a jury was about to be sworn, he changed his plea.
After admitting rape Soares sat down in the dock with his head in his hands.
While acknowledging a custodial sentence is inevitable, the defence urged the court not to remand Soares in custody at this stage, citing his “capabilities and poor communication issues.”
But Judge Richard Green replied, “I have read the police interview transcripts and the defendant appears to have communicated very well and without the assistance of an interpreter.”
Soares was remanded in custody and like Mariano was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register.
Sentencing for both is expected to take place next month.
When the case first reached court a detective explained the victim reported being raped by two unknown males. They walked her – one on either side – to an empty underground carpark in Dungannon, where she was taken to a rear corner and raped by one of the males, while the other, “watched and laughed.”
Soares, “Paced up and down, apparently keeping a look out. He laughed whilst Mariano raped the victim . At some points she appeared completely limp and may have been unconscious. She was unable to hold up her head and was ragdoll-like.”
She stumbled away, but Soares approached and pulled down her lower clothing before raping her.
Mariano laughed as he videoed the ongoing rape on his phone. Soares walked away leaving the victim lying on the ground. They got her to her feet and walked her from the carpark.
Just under two weeks later police encountered Soares after receiving reports of him following women and filming them on his phone. He provided officers with false details although later corrected this.
Bodyworn video from this incident was compared with CCTV footage from the carpark and Soares was arrested.
A search of his home recovered 10 mobile phones and it later emerged DNA matching the defendant was found on the victim’s clothes. After caution he replied, “I didn’t rape anyone. No way man. That wasn’t me.”
He insisted all sexual activity was consensual and the victim “wanted it.”
Bail was refused however he was later released by the High Court. Mariano was arrested a week later with the detective informing the court he was the “instigator”.
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