Guernsey 'Santa’ sex offender loses unfair dismissal fight

Wednesday 21 April 2021

A convicted sex offender from Guernsey, who became well-known for posting videos of himself dancing around the island dressed as Santa, has failed to convince a tribunal that he was unfairly sacked after his crimes came to light.

Joao Bruno De Abreu Gomes (45) was given a community service order last year for committing indecent assault at Bordeaux Harbour in the summer of 2019.

Gomes worked for G4S at the time and was subsequently fired after his behaviour in and out of the workplace was reviewed by his then-employers. 

He had become infamous after videos were taken of him dancing around the island, a number of times, in a Santa outfit.

Gomes tried to convince Guernsey’s Employment and Discrimination he was unfairly dismissed late last year, but the tribunal found that G4S were well within their rights to fire him after his actions.

An appeal against the decision was lodged quickly and a review hearing was held yesterday to locate various legal documents needed by the defence.

Gomes was found guilty of approaching a 16-year-old and pulling at her bikini in July 2019, and was found guilty of sending a pornographic videos to another 16-year-old girl a few months later.

His appeal will be heard on 5 May.