NEIL RODRIGUES FROM KINGSWOOD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BRISTOL

In May 2020, a disturbing case emerged involving Neil Rodrigues, a resident of Kingswood, who was accused of engaging in inappropriate and criminal behavior towards a young girl. The incident, which took place in Bristol, was brought to light during a court hearing at Bristol Crown Court, revealing a series of troubling actions committed by Rodrigues against an 11-year-old girl.

According to court reports, Rodrigues, aged 29 and residing on Crossfield Road in Kingswood, had invited the young girl for walks in a nearby woodland area. During these outings, he engaged in behavior that made her increasingly uncomfortable. On two separate occasions, he kissed her on the lips, an act that the girl found distressing. The court heard that Rodrigues's actions escalated on a third occasion when he took her into a bush, showed her a choker, and expressed a desire to see her wearing nothing but the accessory. The girl, feeling uneasy, confided in her mother about the incidents, prompting her mother to contact the police.

When law enforcement officials investigated, they discovered Rodrigues in possession of numerous child abuse images and videos depicting girls aged between six and twelve. The police also uncovered that Rodrigues had accessed the dark web using specialized software, including computer cleaner tools and peer-to-peer browsing networks, which facilitated his illicit activities. The evidence included a hard drive and a laptop found in his bedroom, both containing approximately 2,380 images and videos of child abuse.

Rodrigues was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to multiple offenses. These included two counts of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 13 and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, he admitted to five charges of making indecent images of a child. During the court proceedings, he offered no comment when questioned but acknowledged kissing the girl twice and asking her to wear only the choker.

Judge Julian Lambert sentenced Rodrigues to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, coupled with a rehabilitation program. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, stating, "A report from a mental health professional shows you to be socially inadequate, isolated, and in need of cognitive behavioral therapy. It is not, however, all about you, and there needs to be a strong focus on the victim of your offending rather than on you. Victim impact is high, and there is a considerable and justifiable sense of betrayal in respect of what you’ve done. In spite of your difficulties, you are the adult, and your victim was a young girl. You are responsible for your actions, and you must accept the consequences."

Furthermore, Rodrigues was subjected to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children and from accessing the internet without oversight. He was also given a ten-year restraining order preventing any contact with his victim or her family. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for ten years. The court's decision reflects the gravity of his actions and the need to protect vulnerable children from potential harm in the future.