Two men who carried out horrific sexual assaults against three women in Portsmouth and Southampton have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms, including one life sentence.
Bruno Sala, 39, a Portuguese national formerly of Middle Park Way in Havant, received a life sentence with a minimum 20-year term at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, 28 November Case number 44PC0350122. He was convicted of six rape counts, one assault charge, and two counts of encouraging or assisting an offence.
Edson Domingos, 41, holding UK and Angolan nationality and previously residing on Elm Grove in Southsea, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment plus three years on licence due to dangerousness for two rape counts.
The crimes occurred between 2019 and 2021, targeting three women in their 40s across Portsmouth and Southampton. Operation Amberstone investigators discovered that Sala had connected with the victims through online dating platforms, establishing relationships before subjecting them to sustained abuse.
Sala employed violence and drugs to control his victims, repeatedly raping and assaulting them. During one incident, when a victim declined consensual relations, Sala declared himself “her boss” before forcing himself upon her. He also facilitated situations enabling Domingos to rape one victim, later claiming his “permission” negated the assault.
DC Nick Sandford-Smith from Operation Amberstone East described both men as “very dangerous individuals.” He noted Sala is already serving a 28-year sentence for previous rape convictions.
“Sala created situations where he would meet women through dating apps and gain their trust, before revealing his true personality and subjecting them to truly horrific physical and sexual abuse,” DC Sandford-Smith stated. “He viewed these women as his possessions.”
The detective praised the victims’ courage: “These men have been brought to justice today because of the immeasurable bravery of these women.”
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Anyone affected by sexual assault or rape can contact police on 101 to speak with officers confidentially. Additional specialist support services are available for those uncomfortable approaching police directly.
Further information about sexual abuse support services is available at Hampshire Police’s dedicated webpage:Â https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/
