‘Dangerous predator’ who raped sleeping woman at party is jailed

A ‘dangerous predator’ has been jailed for six years for raping a young woman while she slept at a party.

Marcelle DaCosta, 36, took advantage of his victim when she was at her ‘most vulnerable’.

Police said he had shown ‘no remorse’ for his actions after he was found unanimously found guilty of rape at Wood Green Crown Court.

The victim, in her 20s, went to a party in Enfield, north London, on 6 February 2021, before going on to two other addresses with DaCosta and two other people.

She tried to leave the gatherings twice, but ended up falling asleep in the early hours of the morning, which is when DaCosta sexually assaulted her.

Nearly a week later, she reported the horrific incident to police, sparking an investigation.

DaCosta, from Leyton in east London, was arrested on April 19 of the same year and charged on December 23.

Detective Sergeant Myles Bossman from the North Area Public Protection team, who led the investigation, said: ‘DaCosta is an extremely dangerous and predatory individual who will now spend a significant period of time behind bars. 

‘He subjected a woman scarcely known to him to a serious sexual assault and has shown no remorse for his actions.

‘While this case has now concluded, I hope it sends a strong message that the Met is committed to supporting victims of sexual violence and working tirelessly to ensure those who commit such despicable crimes are put before the courts to face the consequences of their actions.’

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