Two Men Jailed for Rape of Intoxicated Woman in County Tyrone Car Park

Two men who raped a young woman in an underground car park in County Tyrone have each been sentenced to six years, with half of that term to be spent in custody and the remainder served on licence. Luis Dos Martins Mariano, 20, of Sloan Street, and Alcino Soares, 21, of Braeside, both in Dungannon, had previously entered guilty pleas to the charge of rape. The pair appeared before Downpatrick Crown Court on Thursday via video link from Hydebank prison, where they had been held in remand.

The attack took place on 10 September 2023, when both men were 17 years old. The victim, who was 19 at the time, had been enjoying a night out in Dungannon with friends but became separated from them. The court heard that she was heavily intoxicated when she encountered the two males outside a fast food outlet. According to her account, she recalled being "quite drunk" and having difficulty standing or speaking clearly. Her next memory was of being walked along an alleyway by the two men, one on either side of her, which led into an underground car park.

Sentencing judge Richard Green described the CCTV footage of the incident as "disturbing viewing." He said the woman had been subjected to a "prolonged and humiliating ordeal," during which the two men took turns raping her. Judge Green noted that it should have been obvious to both defendants that their victim was intoxicated and therefore less able to recognise danger, incapable of resisting what he called a "cowardly attack," and unable to call for help. The prosecution had earlier outlined that one of the males raped her while the other kept watch and stood laughing, before she was moved to another corner of the car park and raped again.

The judge also found that taking the woman to a car park at such a late hour demonstrated a "significant degree of planning and foresight." He commended the victim for her bravery in coming forward, describing her as a "survivor." Her impact statement, he said, was both "eloquent and moving." His remarks underscored the gravity of the offence and the lasting harm inflicted on a young woman who should have been able to return home safely after a night out with friends.

During an earlier sentencing hearing held at Dungannon Crown Court on 3 September, the prosecution detailed the victim's account with the assistance of a Tetum interpreter, who stood beside the two defendants to translate the proceedings. Both men had moved to Northern Ireland from East Timor when they were younger. The court was told that the victim had been outside a fast food shop when she was approached by the two males, who appeared to be East Timorese. She recalled being unable to stand properly and unable to communicate effectively as they led her away.

CCTV footage from the car park was played in court and recorded the events in a manner that the prosecution said was consistent with the defendants' eventual guilty pleas. The footage corroborated the victim's account that she was incapacitated and in a vulnerable state, unable to consent or resist. Both men were subsequently arrested and charged.

The case took a lengthy path through the courts. In March 2025, the pair appeared together at Dungannon Crown Court, where Mariano admitted the charge of rape. Soares, however, pleaded not guilty at that stage, and a series of adjournments followed. It was not until just before he was due to stand trial, in October 2025, that Soares also entered a guilty plea to rape. That delay meant the victim faced the prospect of a full trial before the second defendant changed his plea.

At the September 2026 hearing, defence counsel for Mariano said his client did not dispute the harm caused by the case. An expert report found that Mariano has a moderate learning disability, and his barrister argued that the issues in his case related to "age, vulnerability and cognitive ability." The barrister stated there was no challenge to the integrity or strength of the victim and accepted that she "clearly did not consent." Mariano, he said, had apologised and expressed "shame and remorse" for his actions.

Soares' defence barrister told the court that his client was not fluent in either Tetum or English. An expert report concluded that this "language deficit" had created difficulties and affected his understanding of societal norms and morals. The barrister said Soares also apologised and had "accepted his wrongdoing and his remorse." These mitigation factors, along with the defendants' young age at the time of the offence, their learning difficulties, their guilty pleas, the delays in the case, and time already spent in custody, were all taken into account by Judge Green when determining the sentence.

In addition to the custodial sentence, both men were ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life. They were also disqualified from working with children and young adults, a restriction designed to protect vulnerable groups from future risk. The sentencing reflects the serious nature of the offence while acknowledging the personal circumstances of the defendants.

Detective Chief Inspector Steph Finlay of the Police Service of Northern Ireland described the incident as an "appalling and deeply distressing attack on a young woman who should have been able to make her way home safely after meeting with friends." She characterised the actions of the two men as "predatory, degrading and showing a complete disregard for their victim." Her comments highlighted the breach of trust and safety that the attack represented, not only for the victim but for the wider community.

Ch Insp Finlay paid tribute to the tremendous courage the woman had shown throughout what she called an undoubtedly extremely difficult and traumatic process. She said the sentences handed down "hold both men accountable for their actions." The police statement reinforced the message that sexual violence will be pursued through the courts and that victims will be supported throughout the legal process.

The case has drawn attention to issues surrounding consent, intoxication, and the vulnerability of young women on nights out. It also raises questions about how the justice system handles defendants with communication or cognitive difficulties, particularly when they are juveniles at the time of the offence. The judge's decision to divide the sentence between custody and licence reflects an attempt to balance punishment with rehabilitation, while the lifetime registration order and disqualification signal the enduring risk that the court believes both men pose.

For the victim, the conclusion of the case comes nearly three years after the attack. She has been described by the judge as a survivor whose statement was moving and eloquent. Her willingness to come forward and provide evidence, despite the delays and the prospect of a trial, was central to the outcome. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of CCTV evidence in securing convictions and the role of interpreters in ensuring fair proceedings for defendants from different linguistic backgrounds.