Two Men Jailed for Raping Woman in Dungannon Underground Car Park

Two men have been sentenced to prison for raping a young woman in an underground car park in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in a case that a judge described as involving a "prolonged and humiliating ordeal."

Luis Dos Martins Mariano, 20, of Sloan Street, and Alcino Soares, 21, of Braeside, both in Dungannon, had previously entered guilty pleas to rape. At Downpatrick Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Richard Green handed each man a six-year sentence, comprising three years in custody and three years on license. Both appeared via video link from Hydebank prison.

The attack occurred on 10 September 2023, when both defendants were 17 years old. The victim was 19 at the time. Both men had moved to Northern Ireland from East Timor when they were younger.

According to the prosecution's account, presented during an earlier hearing at Dungannon Crown Court on 3 September, the victim had been on a night out in Dungannon on 9 September 2023. She told the court she had been outside a fast food shop and was "quite drunk" when she was approached by two males who appeared to be East Timorese.

Her next recollection was of both men walking on either side of her down an alleyway that led into a car park. She recalled having difficulty standing and being unable to speak properly. The prosecution said one of the males began to rape her while the other kept watch and stood laughing. The victim also remembered being brought to another corner of the car park where she was raped a second time. The men eventually left, and she managed to get up and leave the car park.

CCTV footage from the car park captured parts of the incident, and the prosecution stated that the recording was consistent with the defendants' guilty pleas. The footage was described by Judge Green as "disturbing viewing." A Tetum interpreter was present in court during the earlier hearing, standing beside the defendants to translate the proceedings.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Green said it should have been obvious to both men that the victim was intoxicated, less able to recognise danger, incapable of resisting what he called a "cowardly attack," and unable to call for help. He noted that taking her to a car park at such a late hour demonstrated a "significant degree of planning and foresight." The judge commended the victim's bravery in coming forward, describing her as a "survivor" and her impact statement as both "eloquent and moving."

In determining the sentence, Judge Green said he took into account several factors: the defendants' young age at the time of the offence, their learning difficulties, their guilty pleas, delays in the case, and time already spent in prison. Both men were ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for life and were disqualified from working with children and young adults.

The court heard significant detail about each defendant's background. A defence barrister for Mariano said his client was "not disputing the harm caused by this case." An expert report found Mariano had a "moderate learning disability," and his barrister framed the issues as a question of "age, vulnerability and cognitive ability." The barrister stated there was no challenge to the victim's integrity and strength, acknowledging she "clearly did not consent." Mariano had apologised and expressed "shame and remorse."

Soares' defence barrister told the court his client was not fluent in either Tetum or English. An expert report indicated this "language deficit" had created difficulties and affected his "understanding of societal norms and morals." Soares also apologised and had "accepted his wrongdoing and his remorse."

The procedural history of the case spanned more than two years. In March 2025, both men appeared together at Dungannon Crown Court, where Mariano admitted rape but Soares pleaded not guilty. Numerous adjournments followed, and shortly before Soares was due to stand trial, in October 2025, he entered a guilty plea to rape. The sentencing hearing in September 2026 then set the stage for Thursday's final sentencing.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Ch Insp Steph Finlay 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 men's actions as "predatory, degrading" and showing "a complete disregard for their victim." The officer paid tribute to the victim's "tremendous courage" throughout what she called an extremely difficult and traumatic process, adding that the sentences "hold both men accountable for their actions."

The case highlights ongoing concerns about violence against women in public spaces, particularly in locations such as car parks where victims may be isolated and unable to seek help. It also raises questions about how the justice system handles defendants with cognitive and language difficulties, balancing accountability with consideration of personal circumstances. For the victim, the conclusion of the legal process after nearly three years brings a measure of closure, though the judge's remarks acknowledged the lasting impact of what she endured.