AGOSTINHO DOS SANTOS DE SOUSA DEPORTED FROM GUERNSEY AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CONVICTION

In August 2014, a convicted paedophile named Agostinho dos Santos de Sousa was officially deported from the island of Guernsey shortly after completing his prison sentence. De Sousa, aged 61, had previously been sentenced to 15 months in prison in February 2014 after being found guilty on four counts of possessing indecent images of children. The Royal Court of Guernsey had recommended his deportation upon his release, a decision that was subsequently approved by the Lieutenant Governor.

Following his release, authorities arranged for his transfer to Madeira, Portugal. Two police officers along with an immigration officer escorted de Sousa on a chartered flight to Madeira on Tuesday. According to police reports, upon arrival, Madeiran authorities detained de Sousa on suspicion of having committed sex offences against a minor. The police explained that the decision to use a chartered plane, which cost approximately £12,300, was driven by concerns over de Sousa’s temperament. Det Ch Insp Phil Breban stated, “We had concerns over his temperament and didn’t think it appropriate to escort him on commercial flights.” He further emphasized that although the cost of chartering the plane was significant, it was a necessary expense to ensure the removal of individuals like de Sousa from the community.

De Sousa’s criminal history in Guernsey dates back to August 2013, when he was arrested after attempting to develop and print images of a sexual nature involving children. The incident occurred at a local printing company, which contacted the police after de Sousa tried to have his film printed. The court was informed that the indecent images were taken in Madeira, Portugal, where authorities are still investigating the case. His defense team argued that de Sousa “didn’t understand the nature of the offences,” but the court found him guilty of four counts of possessing indecent images of children.

Judge Russell Finch, presiding over the case, stated that “the Guernsey taxpayer shouldn’t keep him here any longer than necessary,” and emphasized the severity of de Sousa’s actions by describing them as “a nasty set of offences.” The decision regarding whether de Sousa would be deported was left to the Lieutenant-Governor, who ultimately approved the deportation order, ensuring that de Sousa would be removed from Guernsey and returned to Portugal to face further legal proceedings related to his alleged offences against minors.