VICTIMS who were abused by Luiz da Silva Neto say they have been “traumatised” by the sexual assaults, Oxford Crown Court heard.

Two men were drugged and sexually assaulted in a Middle Barton cottage by the 36-year-old defendant who was sentenced to 22-years imprisonment by Judge Michael Gledhill today (07).

The Wandsworth man, who worked for a London floristry business and helped his partner rent out the Oxfordshire cottage to paying guests, was sentenced for rape, administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower and causing or inciting another to engage in sexual activity without consent.

SENTENCING: Read our report on the sentencing here.

In a victim impact system read out by prosecutor Matthew Walsh before the sentencing, the first man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said his “life has changed forever”.

He was drugged and sexually abused by da Silva Neto after travelling to the cottage to carry out some DIY work on November 10, 2021.

He said: “I have changed and I will never, ever be the same again. The feeling of being drugged was horrendous and a feeling I’ll never forget for as long as I live.

“I felt like I needed to sleep or lay down and I couldn’t stand on my feet. I came to when he was doing what he did and that is something that will be with me for the rest of my life.

“Not being able to move or speak but being aware of what was happening is something I’ll never be able to describe to anyone. I feel like what happened to me is eating me up from the inside.

READ MORE:  Detective's plea over fears there may be more victims of Luiz da Silva Neto

“Prior to this, I went out most weekends with my friends but since this has happened I’ve stopped, I just don’t feel I can socialise with people.

“I can never again be a fun, loving person who goes out with friends. I feel like I’ll never trust people again.

“In the eyes of the law this may be over, but for me I have to live with what he did to me forever.”

The second victim, a married company director who da Silva Neto drove home from London to his Oxfordshire cottage on December 10, 2021, after a night of drinking, said the fear he felt was “indescribable”.

“I’ve never felt so terrified,” he said. “Sleepless nights and anxiety has caused me and my wife to take time off work. It’s something I have to live with for the rest of my life and will cross my mind every day.

READ MORE: Jury finds Luiz da Silva Neto guilty of three counts

“It’s taken every bit of strength I have to try and live my life as a normal person. I constantly battle the feelings of stress and terror.  

“I’ve taken great comfort in knowing I could support the police in making sure this never happens again and protecting people from this monster.”

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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