A man has confessed to a brutal sexual assault on a woman in an underground parking lot.
Luis Dos Martins Mariano, aged 19, and his co-accused, 20-year-old Alcino Soares, both from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, were charged with rape on September 10, 2023.
Mariano admitted to the rape during a Crown Court session in Dungannon in March, while Soares initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty.
Despite the defense’s request to keep Mariano on bail until sentencing, the judge deemed it inappropriate, citing the gravity of the offense.
Concerns were raised about Soares’ comprehension abilities and language barriers, as he had difficulty communicating due to his upbringing in East Timor without a developed language or English proficiency.
After multiple delays for expert evaluations, it was determined that Soares was competent to stand trial. However, just as the trial was about to commence, he altered his plea.
Soares, after admitting to the rape, visibly showed remorse by burying his head in his hands in the courtroom.
While acknowledging inevitable prison sentences for both men, the defense argued against immediate custody for Soares due to his communication challenges.
The judge, upon review of police transcripts, determined that Soares communicated effectively without language assistance and ordered him to be remanded in custody, similar to Mariano, who was also instructed to register as a sex offender.
Sentencing for both individuals is scheduled for the following month.
Initially, the victim reported being assaulted by two unidentified males who led her into an empty underground car park in Dungannon. One of the men raped her while the other observed and laughed.
After the first assault, Soares monitored the surroundings while Mariano proceeded to rape the victim. Subsequently, Soares sexually assaulted her as well.
Mariano recorded the assault on his phone while Soares walked away, leaving the victim on the ground. They eventually helped her up and escorted her out of the car park.
Following reports of Soares following and filming women, he was apprehended by the police. Subsequent investigations revealed DNA evidence linking him to the assault.
Soares denied the accusations, claiming all interactions were consensual, and the victim was willing.
Although initially denied bail, Soares was later released by the High Court. Mariano was arrested later, being described by the detective as the primary perpetrator.