A Norfolk man has received a 16-year sentence for exploiting his youthful looks to engage in illegal sexual activities with under-age girls in Lincolnshire, utilising social media for his wrongdoing. Rui Pereira, aged 24 from Wisbech Road, Outwell, pleads guilty to 19 offences, inclusive of six instances of child rape.
Lincoln Crown Court learnt that Pereira, then 21, deluded his victims by appearing only slightly older than them; he organised the meetings through Snapchat. His unlawful acts weren’t only limited to sexual activity and interaction with a minor but also crossed the line into capturing indecent images.
The presiding judge issued both a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order to safeguard his victims. The victims’ statements provided insights into the emotional trauma instilled by Pereira’s actions; one expressed sentiments of fear and of a stolen childhood.
In his concluding remarks, Judge Simon Hirst recognised the profound impact on the victims and condemned Pereira for exploiting his physical appearance to deceive them.
The original report of this case was given by www.bbc.com and The Lincoln Post adapted this piece.
