A man from West London has been jailed for nine years following two separate sexual assaults on girls – he was caught when he applied to join the police.
Ronaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho, 41, of Askew Road in Acton, was arrested after applying to be a Police Community Support Officer with the British Transport Police in September 2024 and asked to provide a DNA sample as part of the vetting process, which matched DNA obtained following the two attacks.
The first incident took place on the 10 July 2017 on a footpath within the Hogsmill Open Space in Ewell, Surrey. The victim, who was 15 years old at the time, was cycling on her own when Goncalo Bertoni Filho approached her on foot, before cornering her and pushing her to the ground.
The victim bit Goncalo Bertoni Filho on the elbow and scratched his face which caused him to run off. The victim then stopped a passer-by and told her what had happened.
A male DNA profile was obtained from her clothing, which was checked against the National DNA Database without success. The profile was uploaded to the database.
The second incident took place on the 17 August 2017, the victim who was 10 years old at the time, was walking alone on a footpath on Claygate Common in Claygate, when a man jogged past her and then turned and grabbed her, before pinning her up against a tree and sexually assaulting her.
She managed to lift her leg and kick Goncalo Bertoni Filho in the stomach before running away. The victim told a family friend what had happened, and they drove around to try and find the suspect, spotting Goncalo Bertoni Filho who was out jogging. He was wearing the same bottoms and trainers he had been wearing when he had attacked her.
The family friend challenged Goncalo Bertoni Filho, who denied he had done anything wrong before running off. The friend chased him on foot and punched him, knocking a single ear bud out of his ear.
The DNA taken from the ear bud matched the DNA recovered from the first offence and the sample that Goncalo Bertoni Filho provided to the British Transport Police in September 2024 and he was subsequently arrested.
He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by penetration at Guildford Crown Court on 13 May. He was found guilty of a second charge of sexual assault on a child under 13 years at an earlier hearing. Goncalo Bertoni Filho was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register on release.
Detective Sergeant Adele Robertson from the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team said: “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to both victims, who were children at the time these heinous offences took place, for their bravery and coming forward and reporting what they had been subjected to.
“Goncalo Bertoni Filho was a dangerous sexual predator who targeted young girls on their own in isolated areas with the sole purpose of committing a sexual offence against them. The fact that he has finally been dealt with through the courts after eight years shows how determined we are in our relentless pursuit for justice.
“His audacity at applying to join the British Transport Police as a PCSO defies belief, but it was this which ultimately led to being identified.
“The team put in a huge amount of work into investigating these attacks at the time and this case illustrates our commitment to continuing to investigate even after several years. We would urge others who have been victims of similar offences to come forward and report these – you will be listened to, and you will be supported.”
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If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape or you have information about an offender, you can contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency – there are specially trained officers who will listen and investigate where needed.
Further information, including details of agencies and charities that can offer support can be found on the Met Police website.
