Southampton man jailed for raping a woman in Palmerston Park

A man has been jailed for rape after he attacked a woman in Southampton’s Palmerston Park in February this year.

Rosario Reis, 27, pleaded guilty to rape at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to eight years and four months’ imprisonment today (21 September 2023) at Southampton Crown Court.

He will also spend an extended period of six years on licence.

Reis attacked the 19-year-old victim at around 7am on Sunday 19 February. A member of the public passing by at the time noticed the victim and grew concerned for her safety. When the victim signalled that she needed help, the police were alerted, and Reis left the scene.

He was arrested at the National Express coach station having been identified and followed by the City’s CCTV Operators.

Nicola Morse, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “The evidence in this case centred around the offender’s behaviour; the way in which he stalked the victim in the early hours of the morning, forcing her towards a secluded area of the park, and then promptly leaving the scene when disturbed by a witness.

“Piecing this together with the victim’s and key witness’ evidence built a strong prosecution case against Reis, demonstrating how implausible his initial defence was that contact between them had been consensual.

“We must thank and pay tribute to the victim today for her courage in reporting her traumatic ordeal and for supporting the prosecution case. We understand the effect this horrendous attack will have had on her, but hope that today’s outcome will at least feel like justice has been delivered.”