'I hope you never forgive yourself': Brazilian soccer player jailed for rape of Cork teen in her home

Defendant entered 19-year-old victim's bedroom holding a knife and raped her on numerous occasions, recording some of it on his phone, court heard

The 10-year sentence was reduced by one year because of mitigating factors such as the defendant’s good work history, lack of previous convictions, family support in Brazil, and his very limited English, and the fact prison life would be harder for him. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A former professional soccer player from Brazil based in West Cork was jailed for nine years on Friday for raping a 19-year-old woman in her own bedroom at knifepoint, threatening to kill her and making video-recordings of her ordeal.

39-year-old Tiago Damasceno Sousa, who was living in West Cork for about 18 months before the rape on March 29, 2024, was sentenced to 10 years by Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford, with the last year suspended, at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.