Christmas party beast gets 8 years

JAILED: Josemar Costa

AN OLDHAM man who sexually assaulted a woman before raping another after a Christmas party has been jailed for a total of eight years.

Josemar Costa, 28, of Cheltenham Street, was found guilty of rape after a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court and pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault.

On the evening of Thursday, December 4, 2014, Costa attended his work Christmas party in Oldham.

He left a nightclub on Roscoe Street and approached a woman sat with a group on the pavement and tried to pull her to her feet.

The woman resisted but Costa continued to pull her arms until she was forced to stand to her feet because of the pain he was causing in her shoulders.

Costa then pulled her towards him and tried to kiss her, before sexually assaulting her.

The victim was very distressed by this, the rest of the group stepped in to help her and Costa pushed her to the floor, before fleeing.

Rape

During the early hours of Friday, December 5, 2014, Costa went back to his flat with a number of other people from the Christmas party and continued to drink alcohol.

Some time later, Costa's second victim was chatting with friends in another room when he approached her and carried her out of the room against her will.

He took her into the bathroom and tried to kiss her before attempting to sexually assault her.

The victim pleaded for him to stop but he continued and then he raped her.

Costa was later arrested in connection with the offences before being charged.

DC Christian Julien, from GMP's Phoenix Oldham Team, said: "Costa preyed on his victims and subjected them to vile sex attacks without giving any thought to the traumatic impact it would have on them.

"The victims have been extremely brave throughout this investigation and I would like to thank them for their help throughout.

"I know this sentence cannot change what has happened but this man is now behind bars where he can't target any more innocent women."

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide help and support to victims throughout the criminal justice process.

St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, which provides a 24-hour forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, can also be contacted on 01612 766515.