The former British bouncer at an Albufeira nightclub who elbowed a young Portuguese man in the face with fatal consequences has again “failed to appear” in court to answer possible charges of grievous bodily harm.
John Hodgson, 23, is described by Portuguese newspapers as the “aggressor” in the tragic incident that left 23-year-old Ricardo Teixeira brain dead and on life support in July 2011. The machines were turned off a week later, and Ricardo’s family have been fighting for justice ever since.
Hodgson in the meantime returned to UK, and to date he is thought not to have set foot back in Albufeira ever since.
A court hearing was scheduled for last Thursday (April 24), but at the last minute it was revealed “a key witness” is still being sought, and thus the date has been pushed forward to November 12.
This is the third time the case has been delayed, and although Correio da Manhã reports that Hodgson was notified to appear in court, there was no sight of him outside the building on Thursday.
The paper claims he is on “term of identity and residence in England” – meaning his movements have to be reported to police – but the main worry of Teixeira’s parents is that their son’s killer may never be brought to trial.
“I know that nothing can bring my son back,” mother Helena Barroca told the Portuguese publication outside the court. “But I want justice.”
CM explains that the court is “now trying to locate Erasto Alves Sérgio,” another former bouncer thought to have witnessed the discussion between Hodgson and Teixeira that led to the young man’s death fall.
Known as “Sérgio Brasileiro”, he “will have seen the aggression”, writes CM, and his testimony could determine whether or not Hodgson should face criminal charges
Meantime, Portugal’s public prosecutor has already said he believes Hodgson “had no intention of killing” his victim.
