Unlicensed London Tattoo Artist Jailed For Raping Unconscious Customer
An unlicensed tattoo artist who raped a woman in his flat after she came to him for a tattoo has been jailed for 13 years. Police are concerned there may be more victims who have not yet come forward.
37-year-old Dewal Dos Santos Silva, from Brazil, was contacted by the female victim, in her mid-30s, who arranged to get a tattoo done on October 30, 2020, at his London flat.
During the tattoo, the woman became groggy before losing consciousness, she woke in the early hours of the following morning to find Dos Santos Silva raping her.
When the woman went home after the attack, Dos Santos Silva, of High Road, Wembley, sent her a text message apologising for "screwing up", and asked the victim if she was angry with him.
When police swooped on the opportunist sexual predator he claimed he could not remember anything of what happened, however, authorities proved his guilt through forensic evidence.
Met Police have said there is a "possibility" of more victims who are yet to come forward.
During a trial at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday, Dos Santos Silva was found guilty of rape and sentenced to 13 years behind bars with an additional five years to be served on licence.
He was found not guilty of administering a substance with intent.
Detective Constable Ian Smith, said: "The victim somewhat trusted Dos Santos Silva as she had met him on a previous occasion for a piercing which went without incident. "This time around he exploited and abused her trust in the most horrific way, making her feel uncomfortable with suggestive comments before going on to rape her.
"Her bravery and courage is remarkable and I hope Dos Santos Silva's jailing goes some way to helping her move on to the next chapter in her life.
"It is a possibility that there are more victims of Dos Santos Silva who have yet to come forward.
"I would encourage anyone who may have been a victim to contact us. We will listen to you, we will investigate and take action."
Gang Who Posed As Police During A Violent Burglary In Putney Have Been Jailed For 35 Years