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A 19-year-old who committed sexual offences against a child and told her not to tell anyone has been convicted following a trial.
The offences came to light in October 2021, after the victim made a disclosure to her school that Da Costa had sexually assaulted her.
Following police enquiries, Da Costa was arrested in December 2021 and placed on police bail whilst the investigation continued. He was charged for that offence on 9 January 2023.
In January this year, the victim revealed at school that Da Costa had also sexually assaulted her when she was six years old.
Da Costa was further arrested for this offence on and charged at the Magistrates’ Court in March.
He denied all the offences, but was today found guilty of an unlawful sexual act between children and procuring acts of gross indecency with a child following a trial.
On the first day of the trial, the victim wept as she told the Court what happened.
She said the first offence happened when she was six, when Da Costa kissed her and then tried to make her perform a sex act on him.
She said that on another occasion years later, he had touched her indecently.
Legal adviser Paul Lee, prosecuting, said the girl did not talk about what had happened until many years later, when sexual assault was mentioned at school and she broke down in tears.
She informed a teacher, who then contacted the police.
Mr Lee said: “She had been too scared to tell. She didn’t know if he was allowed to do it.”
The court was played a recording of a police interview conducted two years ago, when the girl first reported what had happened.
She said of the second incident: “I felt really uncomfortable.
“He said: ‘Don’t tell anyone.’ ”
She then gave live evidence via video link, with Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, asking her: “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
She said: “Because I was scared I would get into trouble.”
Advocate Baglin also asked her if she had lied to the teacher or to the police, and she sobbed as she answered: “No.”
Following the guilty verdict today, Detective Constable Charles Vibert said: “We are committed to investigating and prosecuting all sexual offenders and want to assure victims that there are a number of agencies who are in a position to offer support and guidance through all stages of the criminal justice process.
"We hope that today’s verdict gives the victim some form of closure.
"We work with key partners and advocacy services such as the SARC at Dewberry House, JDAS, JAAR and the Jersey Women’s Refuge, to encourage victims of sexual crime to report such incidents.”
Da Costa will be sentenced in a few months.
SARC at Dewberry House provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Tel: 01534 888222.
Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Confidential helpline: 01534 482800.
Jersey Women’s Refuge offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Tel: 0800 7356836.
Victim Support offer free and confidential advice to victims of crime. Tel: 01534 440496.
Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Tel: 0800 7351612.
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