Attackers jailed for 35 years for brutal assault on Eastbourne man which left him with ‘life-changing’ injuries

They left the victim so badly wounded he is still in a rehabilitation centre 17 months later.

Bruno Tavares, Carlos Semedo and Rui Pereira appeared at Brighton Crown Court on Tuesday (March 2) for sentencing after being convicted of wounding with intent.

A fourth man – Maximiliano Pereira, 25, a cleaner of Seaside – was also convicted of wounding with intent and will be sentenced at a later date.

The convictions were related to a serious assault at around 5.30pm in St James Road on October 8, 2019, which left the victim – a 26-year-old man – with life-changing injuries.

The four men had chased the victim into a dead end road before brutally attacking him by punching, kicking and stamping on his head repeatedly, the court heard.

Even when a passing fire crew stopped to give the victim first aid, the attackers tried to continue their assault – said police.

The four suspects left Eastbourne that night and were arrested in Southampton on October 11.

Bruno Tavares, 33, unemployed of Seaside, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in November 2019 and was sentenced to 10 years and six months’ imprisonment.

Rui Pereira, 29, unemployed, of Harlesden Road, London, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent on the first day of the trial in October 2020. He was sentenced to 11 years and 11 months’ imprisonment.

Carlos Semedo, 25, unemployed, of no fixed address, was found guilty of wounding with intent by a jury at Hove Crown Court and was sentenced to 13 years and three months’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer DC Elliott Lander said, “These four men attacked the victim so brutally that day, the judge likened their actions to a pack of animals cornering their prey.

“In an emotional statement read to the court, the victim’s family said he is not the same man they used to know, both physically and mentally, due to the devastating injuries he suffered.

“He missed out on the birth of one of his children a month after the assault and even now, almost 17 months later, he remains in a rehabilitation centre having not returned home since it happened.

“This has changed his life forever, and we are pleased to see the severity of the attack reflected in the length of the sentences.

“I’d like to thank everyone who supported our investigation, and our thoughts continue to be with the victim and his family while he battles to recover from his long-term injuries.”