Gualberto Santos, the Poplar Paedophile, who transmitted sexual texts to an individual he presumed to be a 12-year-old girl, is evading capture after his sons assisted in his flight from the country.
Gualberto Santos, a 58-year-old former resident of Poplar, East London, faced trial for child sexual offences in late 2023 after being apprehended for communicating using a fake account operated by paedophile hunters.
Perceiving that the trial was unfavourable, Gualberto Santos departed the nation aboard a coach to France from Victoria Coach Station, aided by his sons, who purchased the ticket and packed his belongings.
The sex offender was convicted in absentia and is currently evading capture, presumably in Portugal, facing a four-year prison sentence if apprehended by law enforcement.
On Friday, August 8, his sons – Anthony Sousa, 32, of Sutton Street, Shadwell, and Jorge Sandoval, 29, of New Cross Road in southeast London – received suspended prison sentences for obstructing justice. Both were detained in detention from the time of conviction until sentencing.
In November 2022, Gualberto Santos was apprehended after transmitting sexual messages to an individual he presumed to be a 12-year-old girl and sought to arrange a meeting with her.
Gualberto Santos refuted the charges and proceeded to trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October 2023.
Recognising that a guilty finding was forthcoming, Gualberto Santos resolved to escape the country on October 31 and sought assistance from his sons.
Gualberto Santos facilitated the purchase of the ticket to France, after which both brothers accompanied their father to Victoria to bid him farewell, with Sandoval carrying a rucksack for him.
Prosecutor Jonathan Wright said Gualberto Santos has still not returned to the country to face justice.
“There has been no return of Gualberto Santos Snr, and I see no evidence of efforts by the family to request and persuade him to come back to the country; on that, there is complete silence,” Mr Wright said.
Abigail Penny, defending Sousa, said the family have tried to convince Santos to return to the UK.
She said: “I’ve been told that Mr Sousa’s mother has implored her husband to return to the country, and the very fact that he’s chosen not to, even though two of his sons are in custody, shows the kind of man he is.
“These offences were clearly committed out of love for their father.”
Judge Ross Cohen said he accepted that the brothers had acted out of loyalty to their dad.
“I accept that you are both remorseful and were let down terribly by your father,” he said.
The pair were each sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
The brothers will each have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
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