Four years in prison for raping a Dutch tourist
- Created on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 19:26
Andre Lopes, 23, was sentenced on Wednesday to four years in prison for raping a Dutch tourist, to whom he gave a lift to in August 2011. The stonemason from Valpaços, confessed during the trial, but the judge said he was convinced that when he gave a ride to the Dutch girl, Lopes intended to rape her.
The defendant's lawyer, Rosa Arantes, will appeal the decision and the defendant is now under house arrest.
The case dates back to August 24, 2011. A Dutch tourist was traveling alone with her pet dog and accepted a lift in Salto, Montalegre from the young mason, who offered to take her to Braga.
After an hour and a half trip, he made a turn into a secluded area. Against the wishes of the tourists who tried to escape, he used a small knife and a baseball bat to intimidate her.
Forcing her onto the back seat of his Opel Corsa, he stripped off her clothing, tied her arms with a football scarf and raped her repeatedly, despite her cries. He drove off leaving her scared and injured,and having to walk for two hours in order to alert the police.
