Locations
Dyke Road, Brighton, Brighton & Hove, BN1
Description
Rafael Nascimento was sentenced to 13 years on 17 April after the offence in Regent Hill in August 2025.
A tourist has been sentenced after he took a teenager to a property in central Brighton and raped him.
The 17-year-old victim was sitting on a bench in Dyke Road, Brighton in the early morning on 10 August 2025, waiting for public transport to restart.
He was approached by 38-year-old Rafael Nascimento, a Brazilian national who was visiting Brighton on holiday and staying at a property nearby.
Nascimento started a conversation with the teenager and asked where he could buy cigarettes at this time of night. The victim offered his help and took Nascimento to a nearby shop.
He then worked on gaining the teenagers trust and took him to a property in Regent Hill, where the rape occurred.
The offence was quickly reported, and Nascimento was arrested the same day after police intercepted him returning to the address.
He was initially charged with one count of rape of a male and appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 12 August. He was later further charged with three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and causing a person to incite in sexual activity. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and the case was sent for trial.
On Tuesday 2 February, the jury in the two-week trial at Lewes Crown Court found Nascimento guilty of four counts of rape and causing a person to incite in sexual activity. They found him not guilty of the sexual assault charges. Nascimento was remanded in custody to await sentencing.
At his sentencing at Lewes Crown Court court on Friday, 17 April, Nascimento was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett, said:
"With sentencing now complete, we want to recognise the courage and resilience the victim has shown throughout. Their bravery in reporting the offence promptly played a crucial role in helping us swiftly identify, locate, and apprehend a dangerous predator.
"Nascimento was visiting the UK on holiday and was due to return to Brazil the day after the offence. Had the victim delayed reporting what happened, there is every possibility that Nascimento could have left the country before we had the chance to arrest him and bring him to justice.
"While nothing can undo the trauma the victim has experienced, we hope this sentence provides some sense of closure and helps them to continue to heal.
"Sexual offences can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, and it is vital that all victims feel able to come forward. Offences against men remain under-reported, often because of fear, embarrassment, or stigma.
"We want victims to know they can report to us in confidence. You will be listened to, treated with respect, supported throughout, and your report will be taken seriously."