Child abuser jailed for four years

Friday 25 November 2016

A 59-year-old father will spend four years in jail for eight counts of sexual assault on a child who was eight, and then nine years old, at the time of the assaults.

Luis Pereira was sentenced yesterday by the Superior Number of the Royal Court - which convenes for the Island's most serious cases - after a jury found him guilty for offences he had committed.

Speaking straight after the sentence was delivered, the Police welcomed the decision. Detective Inspector Mark Hafey, Head of the Public Protection Unit said,

“The sexual assault of a child by an adult is an appalling crime and one that the States of Jersey Police will investigative as meticulously as possible. All children have the right to be safe and be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect. It is right and proper that anyone who breaches the trust of a young person should feel the full weight of the judicial process.

“In this case the young girl was particularly brave and I thank her and commend her for coming forward to speak about what happened to her. By doing so, she has not only ensured the defendant in this case is held to account by the criminal justice system, but also prevented the potential of any further abuse on other victim(s)”

During the case, the girl alleged the abuse took place on a number of occasions when Mr Pereira's wife had gone out to work, and she was alone in the flat with him.

The court heard her account of how she would go for a sleep in the couple's bed and would wake up when she says he was touching her.

Pereira, who required the use of a translator in court, had denied all charges.

In delivering his sentence, Deputy Bailiff Timothy Le Cocq QC said: “You do not have the benefit of a guilty plea, which would have spared your victim the ordeal of giving evidence. We note, however, the mitigation that is available to you.

"You have no previous relevant convictions, and you are accordingly treated as a person of good character."

Pereira's mobility issues, which cause him chronic back pain and pins and needles in his fingers and hands, were also taken into account.

"[His condition] renders serving of any prison sentence much more difficult and much harder to bear than anyone who was entirely physically able bodied," Advocate Jeremy Heywood, defending, had argued. In his conclusions, the Deputy Bailiff conceded that Pereira's sentence would be, "...more challenging for you than for a person without health issues."

Advocate Simon Thomas, prosecuting, had moved for a seven-year jail term, but this was deemed "too high". Pereira was subsequently handed a four-years imprisonment and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years. A restraining order preventing him from contacting the girl was also imposed.

Although deportation was considered, Advocate Thomas said that Pereira's "continued presence in the Island is not detrimental to the public."

Pereira remained calm during his sentencing, while his family tearfully watched on from the public gallery.