Eastbourne attack: Gang attacked man in St James Road

The four men were described as acting like a pack of animals who had cornered their prey in Eastbourne.

Police were called over the attack in St James Road that left the victim with life-changing injuries.

Passing firefighters tried to give the victim Carlo Goncalves, 26, from Portugal, first aid.

But the gang tried to continue their attack.

Mr Goncalves missed the birth of one of his children, and 17 months on from the attack remains in a rehabilitation centre.

Three of those responsible were jailed for a total of more than 35 years in prison for the attack.

St James Road, Eastbourne

At Brighton Crown Court Bruno Tavares, Carlos Semedo and Rui Pereira appeared for sentencing over the incident in October 2019.

A fourth man – Maximiliano Pereira, 25, a cleaner of Seaside, Eastbourne – was also convicted of wounding with intent and will be sentenced at a later date.

The attackers, all Portuguese nationals, were arrested in Southampton three days after the attack.

Bruno Tavares, 33, unemployed, of Seaside, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in November 2019 and was sentenced to 10 years and six months’ imprisonment.

Bruno Tavares was jailed for the attack

Rui Pereira, 29, unemployed, of Harlesden Road, London, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent on the first day of the trial in October 2020.

He was sentenced to 11 years and 11 months’ imprisonment.

Carlos Semedo was jailed for the attack

Carlos Semedo, 25, unemployed, of no fixed address, was found guilty of wounding with intent by a jury at Hove Crown Court and was sentenced to 13 years and three months’ imprisonment.

Rui Pereira was jailed for the attack

Investigating officer Detective Constable Elliott Lander said: “These four men attacked the victim so brutally that day, the judge likened their actions to a pack of animals cornering their prey.

“In an emotional statement read to the court, the victim's family said he is not the same man they used to know, both physically and mentally, due to the devastating injuries he suffered.

“He missed out on the birth of one of his children a month after the assault and even now, almost 17 months later, he remains in a rehabilitation centre having not returned home since it happened.

“This has changed his life forever, and we are pleased to see the severity of the attack reflected in the length of the sentences.

“I’d like to thank everyone who supported our investigation, and our thoughts continue to be with the victim and his family while he battles to recover from his long-term injuries.”