Courts / Dublin / Report

Rickshaw driver sexually assaulted woman in hostel

Date
2018-05-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Pedro Miguel Dos Santos E Silva, a 25‑year‑old Brazilian rickshaw driver, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a Dutch student at a Dublin city centre hostel on 20 January 2018. The victim, who was returning from a night out, was approached by Dos Santos E Silva as she tried to enter her room. He initially offered to help her but then took her key, removed her hat and scarf, and entered the female toilets. He attempted to kiss her, remove her jeans, and expose himself, eventually placing his penis in her face. The assault ended when the victim became distressed. Gardaí found a small amount of MDMA in his bag and he was believed to have been under its influence. He had no prior Irish convictions and had lived in the hostel for four days before the incident. The 18‑month sentence was back‑dated to his first arrest in January. Pedro Miguel Dos Santos E Silva pleaded guilty.