An Ipswich man received a prison sentence of six years and three months after raping a woman on a sofa while she was babysitting at a residential property in the town.
During the sentencing, Recorder Claire Davies KC highlighted that Santos’s conduct had caused significant physical and emotional trauma to the victim.
She read an impact statement from the woman, who expressed that she no longer saw herself as the young person she was prior to the incident and that the assault continued to influence many aspects of her life.
The judge also mentioned that once Santos had completed his prison term, deportation was likely.
The court heard in the trial last month that Santos was watching a film on a sofa with the woman when he initiated kissing her.
According to prosecutor Matthew Sorel-Cameron, the two kissed for approximately ten minutes before the woman checked on the child she was babysitting and went upstairs.
The kissing resumed afterward, but when Santos placed his hand on her bottom, she objected with a clear “no.” Despite her protests and telling him “no” again when he moved his hand to her front, Santos broke her boundaries with a firm “yes,” and proceeded to put his hand inside her leggings before pushing her face down on the sofa and carrying out the rape.
Mr. Sorel-Cameron stated that Santos was aware of what he wanted and was determined to continue.
Santos, whose address is Bramford Road, Ipswich, denied the rape occurring in May 2022 but was found guilty by a jury.
Alongside his prison sentence, he was ordered not to contact the victim and to register as a sex offender for life.
Following his arrest, Santos claimed the encounter was consensual.
The court was also informed that during incarceration, Santos was classified as an enhanced prisoner.
