Anderson Cerqueira

Anderson Cerqueira, a 44-year-old man from West Cliff Road in Bournemouth, has been jailed for six years after being found guilty of rape and two counts of sexual assault. The offences occurred on separate occasions four years apart, targeting vulnerable young men who had been out for the evening in the town.

The first incident took place in August 2013. Cerqueira offered a lift to a man in his 20s who was returning from a night out. The victim, assuming the offer was genuine, entered the vehicle. However, Cerqueira drove to a secluded area in Charminster, where he stopped the car and sexually assaulted the man. The victim felt uncomfortable during the journey and requested to be dropped off, but Cerqueira ignored this and continued driving. After the assault, the victim managed to escape the vehicle and run away.

The second attack occurred in July 2017, involving another man in his 20s who had been on a night out in Bournemouth. Believing Cerqueira's car to be a licensed taxi, the victim accepted the lift home. Instead, Cerqueira drove to a remote location and raped the man, subjecting him to a violent sexual assault.

Cerqueira's trial took place at Bournemouth Crown Court in December, where he was convicted on all counts. Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Andy Hale of Dorset Police described Cerqueira as a 'predator' who deliberately targeted lone young men. 'Cerqueira is a predator who went out and targeted young lone men and subjected them to horrific sexual assaults,' Hale stated. He also issued a warning to the public: 'Never accept a lift home from someone you do not know and if you have ordered a taxi ensure the vehicle you are getting into is licensed.'

In addition to the six-year custodial sentence, Cerqueira has been placed on the sex offenders register for life. Dorset Police investigated both cases, highlighting the predatory nature of the attacks and the importance of vigilance when accepting rides from strangers.