In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Rafael Nascimento, then 38, a Brazilian national, was found guilty of multiple rapes against a teenager in Brighton, East Sussex. On Tuesday, 2 February 2026, a jury at Lewes Crown Court returned guilty verdicts against the visitor following a two-week trial that detailed a predatory encounter in the city centre.
The investigation established that in the early hours of 10 August 2025, a 17-year-old boy was sitting on a bench in Dyke Road, near the junction of North Street, when Nascimento approached him. Pretending to look for cigarettes, Nascimento worked to gain the child’s trust before leading him to a property in Regent Hill, where the “vicious” attacks occurred. Sussex Police reported that Nascimento was visiting the UK on holiday and was scheduled to fly back to Brazil the day after the offence, making the victim’s prompt report crucial to his arrest.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Nascimento was arrested within hours of the incident due to the bravery and quick action of the survivor. During the trial, the prosecution emphasised that the defendant had used deceptive tactics to lure a child to a private location. The jury heard evidence regarding four counts of rape and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett emphasised the importance of the victim’s bravery in reporting the “horrific” crime. The judge emphasised that while Nascimento was found not guilty of two additional sexual assault charges, the severity of the convictions for rape warranted a significant custodial term. For his crimes in Brighton, the court determined that Nascimento must be remanded in custody while reports are prepared for his sentencing in April.
Convictions and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Rafael Nascimento was found guilty of:
- Rape: Four counts of rape of a male.
- Incitement: One count of causing a person to incite to sexual activity.
- Status: Remanded in custody.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements will remain in effect for life upon sentencing.
- Sentencing: Scheduled for 17 April 2026.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Nascimento is currently managed by Sussex Police and the prison estate while awaiting sentencing. Due to the predatory nature of his offences and his status as a foreign national, his case is under the scrutiny of the Home Office and the Public Protection Unit in East Sussex.
As a soon-to-be lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Nascimento will be required to comply with mandatory notification requirements. Authorities state that the prompt arrest prevented a high-risk offender from fleeing the country. Any future developments regarding his custodial sentence or potential deportation proceedings will be handled by the Home Office following his sentencing at Lewes Crown Court in April.
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