Norfolk man, 24, who sexually abused young girls he met online jailed for 16 years
Rui Pereira lured children in to thinking he was just a teenager himself in order to meet them when sexual acts would take place
A man who committed 19 sexual offences against children – including six counts of rape – has been jailed for 16 years.
Rui Pereira, formerly of Wisbech Road, Outwell, Norfolk, has been sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court today, Thursday, 1 May for charges relating to five different victims.
The 24-year-old had been accused of rape, sexual assault of a child, sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child, making indecent images and taking indecent images.
The distinction being that making indecent images refers to the possession of explicit images, while taking indecent images relates to someone personally creating them.
Pereira has previously pleaded guilty to all 19 charges but had at no point explained his actions.
The court heard how he posed as a teenager online in 2022 to strike up relationships with children under the age of 13.
Pereira would then engage in sexual conversation before convincing his victims to meet with him where sexual acts took place.
His victims are in the Lincolnshire and Norfolk areas.
Today, Pereira has been jailed for 16 years and was given a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.
He must also serve an extended licence period of two years on his release from jail.
Detective Constable Carla Sutton branded Pereira’s ‘behaviour’ and wholly unacceptable, praising the resilience of the children involved and their families.
She said: “The children in this case have been nothing but strong, brave and resilient and they must be very proud of themselves for coming forward.
“Pereira knew the ages of these children when he began sexual conversations with them, he lured them in to thinking he was just a teenager himself in order to meet and satisfy his sexual needs.
“Pereira is a sexual predator that preyed on young children and this conviction means he won’t be able to cause any further harm.”