ROBERT GUY DE SOUZA FROM BEDMINSTER AND ST JUDE'S FACES JAIL FOR FAILING TO REPORT MOVE

In a serious development within the criminal justice system, Robert Guy De Souza, a 26-year-old known resident of Bedminster and St Jude’s, is now facing the possibility of imprisonment after failing to comply with legal requirements to inform authorities of his change of address. This case highlights the ongoing challenges in monitoring convicted sex offenders and ensuring they adhere to the conditions set forth by law.

De Souza, who was previously convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, narrowly avoided a custodial sentence last year. His original conviction involved a disturbing incident where he had sex with a 15-year-old girl whom he had invited into his flat. As part of his sentence, he received a suspended prison term and was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. The court's decision reflected the gravity of his offense, but also the hope for rehabilitation, as he was not immediately incarcerated.

However, recent events have cast a shadow over his compliance with legal obligations. Under the terms of the Sex Offenders Register, De Souza was legally required to notify police within three days of any change of address. The court heard that after leaving the Salvation Army hostel located on Wade Street in St Jude’s, he moved to a property on Sion Road in Bedminster. Despite this, he failed to inform the authorities of his new residence for nearly two months, a breach that could have serious consequences.

According to the court proceedings, De Souza did not feel motivated to report his move on December 18 of the previous year. It was only on February 15 that he finally visited Trinity Road police station to provide his new address. This delay prompted police to arrest him, and he subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to notify authorities without reasonable excuse, as mandated by the Sexual Offences Act.

The court was informed that De Souza had previously been sentenced at Bristol Crown Court in February of the previous year to a 54-week suspended jail term, which included supervision, for an offense committed in October of the year before. The details of that case revealed that he had invited a teenage girl, who was residing in the same block of flats, to watch a film and subsequently engaged in sexual activity with her in his flat. The girl confided in her mother, leading to De Souza’s arrest. During police interviews, he admitted that he believed the girl was over 16 and consenting, a claim that was central to the case.

Initially, De Souza faced charges of rape and sexual activity with a child, but the Crown Prosecutor decided not to proceed with the rape charge. Nonetheless, his actions resulted in a court order requiring him to notify authorities of any change of address within three days. Despite moving from the Salvation Army hostel to a housing association property on Sion Road, he failed to register his new address until nearly two months later. During police interviews, he admitted to leaving the hostel without notifying police, citing problems at his new address and making allegations of assault, which he claimed were known to the authorities.

Legal representatives for De Souza, led by solicitor Guy Percival, urged the magistrates to consider sentencing him directly rather than referring the case to a Crown Court judge. Percival emphasized that De Souza, who had been living in supported accommodation, experienced depression and difficulties with residents after moving to Sion Road. He argued that De Souza did not attempt to hide or disappear but simply failed to notify police promptly, and that by February 15, he had taken the necessary steps to report his new address and fully admitted his mistake. The court was asked to take these circumstances into account when determining the appropriate sentence for his breach of the notification requirements.