'Dancing Santa' appeals tribunal decision of fair dismissal

Tuesday 20 April 2021

A 45-year-old who was found guilty of "inappropriately smacking" an underage girl at the beach is appealing the decision of an Employment and Discrimination Tribunal that ruled he was fairly dismissed from his job after his actions came to light.

Joao Bruno De Abreu Gomes 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 the tribunal 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.