Eastbourne gang attack: Maximiliano Pereira is fourth man jailed

Maximiliano Pereira, 25, was part of a group described as acting like a “pack of animals” who cornered Carlo Goncalves, 26, in Eastbourne.

Along with Bruno Tavares, 33, Rui Pereira, 29, and Carlos Semedo, 25, they punched Mr Goncalves to the floor and stamped on his head.

The group, all from Portugal, had chased him into a dead end at St James Road.

Passing firefighters tried to help Mr Goncalves, but members of the gang tried to carry on the attack.

Last month The Argus reported how the victim had missed the birth of his child and was still in rehabilitation nearly 17 months after the attack.

At Lewes Crown Court, Maximiliano Pereira was the latest of the group to be sent to prison.

He was caged for 13 years and three months for the attack.

Lewes Crown Court.

It was claimed that the attack had been “revenge” for minor criminal damage or for a minor assault, but His Honour Judge Martin Huseyin said that excuse was unlikely.

He told the court: “This was a wholly unjustified attack that was utterly and horrifyingly disproportionate.”

The judge told Pereira, of Harlesden Road, Wembley, he was “equally responsible for the joint offence”.

Maximiliano Pereira was jailed over his role in the joint attack on Carlo Goncalves in Eastbourne

Previously the court was told how the attack happened in October 2019.

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

Read more on this story: Three gang members jailed for attack in Eastbourne

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

Bruno Tamares 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.

Rui Pereira was jailed for the attack

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

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.

Carlos Semedo 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.

The attack happened at St James Road, Eastbourne

“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.”

• For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here. And for the latest from the courts, like our dedicated Facebook group here.