HUGO DE SOUSA SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN DERBY FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AND ONLINE TRAP
In a significant case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilant justice, Hugo De Sousa, a 46-year-old man from Derby, was sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison for heinous crimes involving child sexual abuse.The proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that spanned years, culminating in a calculated effort to trap and expose him.
De Sousa, a Portuguese national residing on Havelock Road in Derby, had previously been convicted in 2021 of distributing and creating images of child sex abuse.
Unbeknownst to him at the time, his past conviction would play a crucial role in his eventual downfall.
His victim, a young woman who had been abused by him during her childhood, took a daring step to seek justice.
In 2021, she discovered that De Sousa had been convicted of such offenses, which motivated her to act.
Using her knowledge of his criminal record, she devised a plan to catch him in the act.
She created a fake online persona, posing as a fellow paedophile, and engaged him in conversations on an online forum.
Her goal was to elicit admissions from De Sousa regarding his past abuse.
The victim’s strategy proved effective, as De Sousa, unaware of her true identity, began to reveal details about his sexual misconduct.
During the court proceedings, Judge Jonathan Bennett described how the victim’s actions led to De Sousa’s conviction.
The judge explained, “These offenses actually came to light by reason of your conviction for indecent images in 2021 when you were made the subject of a suspended sentence for making and distributing the images.
Your victim became aware of that and she thought she might now be believed.” He further detailed how the victim set up the online trap, using a pseudonym to communicate with De Sousa about his predilection for underage girls.
The court heard that De Sousa, in his conversations, admitted to sexually abusing her when she was a child.
Despite this, he behaved as if nothing had happened after the abuse, which the judge described as a further indication of his manipulative and callous attitude.
Judge Bennett emphasized the profound impact of De Sousa’s actions on his victim, stating, “By doing what you did to her, you have blighted her childhood by using her as a sexual chattel and corrupting her.” The court also noted that De Sousa, in his pre-sentence report, attempted to blame the victim, which the judge found deeply concerning.
Prosecutors highlighted that following De Sousa’s 2021 conviction, his victim took the brave step of creating a fake identity to contact him and gather evidence of his continued predatory behavior.
The court was told that her plan “worked to perfection,” leading to De Sousa’s arrest and subsequent conviction.
The victim provided a heartfelt impact statement, describing how her ordeal has affected her mental health and daily life.
She reported suffering from nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and intrusive thoughts about her abuse.
Her condition had deteriorated to the point where she was working night shifts to cope with her insomnia.
In sentencing, De Sousa received a total of 22 years in prison, comprising 17 years of custody and an additional five years on extended license.
This means he will not be eligible for parole until two-thirds of his custodial term has been served.
Furthermore, he will be placed on the sex offender register for life and subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.
As a foreign national, De Sousa faces deportation upon his release from prison, a measure that the judge confirmed will be enforced.
The case underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals who exploit online platforms to prey on vulnerable children and the importance of proactive measures to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.
