A second man has admitted subjecting a random woman to a horrific sexual attack in an underground car park, during which each took turns keeping watch for the other.
Luis Dos Martins Mariano (19), of Sloan Street, and Alcino Soares (20), of Braeside, both in Dungannon, 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 pleaded not guilty.
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 noted 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. At one stage, a prosecuting lawyer — perturbed by the continual delay — advised he had an expert on standby to complete his own reports.
Last week, the court learned Soares was fit to stand trial, which was due 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 that 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 Offenders Register.
Sentencing for both men is expected to take place next month.
When the case first reached court, a detective explained that the victim had reported being raped by two unknown males.
They walked her — one on either side — to an empty underground car park in Dungannon, where she was taken to a rear corner and raped by one of the men while the other “watched and laughed”.
Soares “paced up and down, apparently keeping a lookout. 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 later got her to her feet and walked her from the car park.
Just under two weeks later, police encountered Soares after receiving reports of him following women and filming them on his phone.
He initially provided officers with false details, although he later corrected this.
Body-worn video from this incident was compared with CCTV footage from the car park, and Soares was arrested.
A search of his home recovered 10 mobile phones, and it later emerged that 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 that the victim “wanted it”.
Bail was refused; however, he was later released by the High Court.
Mariano was arrested a week later, with a detective informing the court that he was the “instigator”.
