AN “EXTREMELY dangerous” rapist who used a fake Facebook profile to lure a 19-year-old to a remote location has been jailed.

Cristian Pereira, formerly of Samphire Road, Oxford, was today jailed for 13 and a half years and will spend an extra three and a half years on licence.

The 31-year-old admitted carrying out two counts of rape and a sexual assault on April 29 this year.

And it emreged Pereira had been convicted of rape in his native Brazil in 2012 but was on the run when he came to Britain and carried out this attack.

He took his victim to a track near Stoney Lane, Little Haseley, after contacting her and other women online.

Tonight his victim - who cannot be named - issued a defiant statement in which she told other victims they should remain strong.

She said: "I would also like to encourage anyone - not only victims of rape - but everyone who has faced or is facing a difficult time in life to keep fighting.

"Stay strong, don't give up, it will get better again. Life is worth living."

She added: "I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Thames Valley Police for their hard work and the support they have shown over the last months.

"All the officers I have met gave me the impression that they didn't judge me, that they believed me and that they were trying to help me while always remaining professional.

"My special thank you goes out to PC Maria Gilio, whose support played the most important role in the early days of my recovery.

"Moreover, I would like to thank the Oxford Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre for their amazing and still ongoing support."

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Louise Roddy, said: “I am pleased with the sentence result which prevents an extremely dangerous man being able to commit any more horrendous crimes.

“My absolute admiration goes to the victim, who has managed to start rebuilding her life due to her strength of character and determination.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to say that if you are a victim of a sexual offence please understand that Thames Valley Police will do everything possible to investigate your report and provide you the level of support you require.

“This may be through our specially trained officers that have great experience of dealing with victims of such crimes and also by connecting you to other support agencies.”

Pereira - who went under a slightly different name of Christian Perera on court papers - will be deported when he has served two thirds of his sentence.

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Pereira made a false Facebook profile and posed as a female au pair, a Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said.

He contacted his victim and after some time speaking over the social media site, she accepted the offer of a lift to Heathrow airport.

When they met he convinced the victim he was a friend of the ‘Facebook au pair’ sent to collect her, only to drive her to remote farmland and attacking her.

The spokesman added: “The victim was terrified and feared for her life. She tried to escape on two occasions, but Pereira was stronger and faster than her.

“After her ordeal she had little option but to get back into his van, which became stuck in heavy mud enabling her to make her escape.

“She was found by a farmer, who contacted the police and Pereira was arrested nearby.”

The CPS spokesman said it appeared Pereira was preparing to flee after the attack. The room where he had been staying was virtually empty, while in the back of the van were his possessions, while he was carrying a “substantial amount” of money.

Pereira initially claimed the sexual encounter was consensual but in the face of police evidence he admitted his crime.

Police established Pereira was still wanted in Brazil for rape. He had been convicted and sentenced in his absence.

Adrian Foster, of the CPS, said: “This was a planned, targeted and violent stranger rape. Pereira is clearly an extremely ruthless, predatory and dangerous man.

“This prosecution would not have been possible without the courage of the victim who was willing to support proceedings.

“The physical and emotional impact on her of the abhorrent actions of Pereira is impossible to quantify. I hope that the conviction and sentence will offer her some comfort.

“Our thoughts are very much with her at this time.”

Oxford Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre director Lisa Ward added: “We are always grateful to receive positive feedback from those who have used our service.

“At Oxford Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre we offer independent, confidential support to women who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives, regardless of whether they do or don’t wish to enter criminal justice processes.

“Women who feel they may like to access our support can find out more about the service we offer on our website www.oxfordrapecrisis.net.”

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