Man Rearrested for Child Abduction After Ignoring Court Orders

Hugo Almeida, 25, is back in custody after allegedly abducting a child again and ignoring previous court orders.

Man Rearrested for Child Abduction After Ignoring Court Orders
Man Rearrested for Child Abduction After Ignoring Court Orders

Hugo Almeida, a 25-year-old man from Dungannon, has been arrested again and charged with child abduction. He was first charged last year on October 11 and November 7, regarding the same child, who is currently in care.

On January 13, he was charged again. He allegedly abducted the girl again and also tried to damage a police car. People had recently seen Almeida with the child, but police didn’t initially take action; he was subsequently arrested on March 4.

This arrest was for abduction and assault. Police also stated he possessed cocaine. In June 2024, he received a warning not to take the child. Social workers became concerned in October after she visited him in Dungannon.

She took a bus, and staff secretly followed. They quickly saw her with Almeida and found texts between them. The police were informed, but Almeida remained silent during questioning. He was charged with two abductions.

Care staff worried she was with him again, prompting police to search Almeida’s residence. There, they found a girl matching her description. She locked herself in the bathroom, then escaped through a window. Police forced the door open shortly after she fled.

Social workers later found her. A police officer objected to bail, noting Almeida’s disregard for court orders and the requirement to alert police if she approaches him. Initially, the judge refused bail, doubting anything could restrain Almeida, but the High Court later released him.

The latest arrest also involved police objecting to bailsince they witnessed Almeida with the child in a park. He allegedly assaulted her this time, too. The defense lawyer downplayed the situation, arguing it wasn’t a true abduction.

The judge disagreed, stating coercion also constitutes abduction, as she is a minor. The defense lawyer said the child often travels a long distance to see Almeida. While admitting Almeida breached an order by not calling police, the lawyer characterized it as a “nuisance,” not a danger.

The judge challenged this, questioning whether ignoring court orders is merely a “nuisance.” The defense countered that it wasn’t sinister. Despite his parents offering their home as an address, the judge refused bail. He doubted parental control. Almeida is scheduled to appear in court via video-link on April 2.

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