Pair admit horror intercourse assault on lady as they took turns to maintain watch
Luis Dos Martins Mariano and Alcino Soares walked their victim to an empty underground carpark and “watched and laughed” as they took it turns to rape the woman
Two men have admitted subjecting a woman to a horrific sex attack in an underground car park — during which each kept watch for the other. Luis Dos Martins Mariano, 19, and Alcino Soares, 20, “watched and laughed” as they took it turns to rape the woman.
They were jointly charged with rape on 10 September 2023 and appeared together at Dungannon Crown Court in March when Mariano admitted rape but Soares denied the charge. But he changed his plea to guilty on Monday, October 6.
The court previously heard how the pair approached the victim and walked her — one on either side — to an empty underground carpark in Dungannon, Northern Ireland.
Once there, she was taken to a rear corner and raped by one of the males, while the other, “watched and laughed.” The court heard Soares “paced up and down, apparently keeping a look out”. He laughed whilst Mariano raped the victim, the court was told.
At some points, the victim appeared “completely limp” and “may have been unconscious”, it was heard. She was unable to hold up her head and was ragdoll-like, prosecutors said.
She stumbled away, but Soares approached and pulled down her lower clothing before raping her, the court heard. Mariano laughed as he videoed the ongoing rape on his phone, the court heard.
Soares walked away, leaving the victim lying on the ground before they got her to her feet and walked her from the carpark, it was heard.
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,” the court was told. He insisted all sexual activity was consensual and the victim “wanted it.” Mariano was arrested a week later and a detective told the court he was the “instigator”.
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.
“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.”
Soares was remanded in custody and like Mariano was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register. They will both be sentenced next month.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
