Birthday Roast Row: Councillor to Stand Trial for Stalking Wife

The legal proceedings involving an embattled Norfolk official have taken a protracted turn, extending the shadow of controversy over a town already weary of municipal discord.

A Birthday Dispute and Distant Deadlines- The trial of Dominic de Souza, a 46-year-old member of Attleborough Town Council, has been adjourned until April 22, 2027, following a significant procedural failure by the Crown Prosecution Service. De Souza, a former police officer with the Norfolk Constabulary, appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court prepared to contest allegations of assault by beating and stalking. However, the court heard that the CPS had only reviewed the file seven days prior to the hearing and had failed to disclose vital evidence to the defence.

District Judge Matthew Bone expressed his regret over the adjournment, describing the inability to proceed as a "crying shame" necessitated by missing witnesses and a backlog of cases. The charges stem from an incident in March 2024, where a domestic dispute allegedly ignited after De Souza cooked a roast dinner for his wife Chloe’s birthday. The court was informed that the argument began when he was accused of failing in his "husbandly duties," a phrasing that has since become a focal point of local intrigue.

The Stalking Allegations and Bail Restrictions- Beyond the initial altercation, De Souza faces charges of stalking between April and May of the following year. Prosecutors allege he breached bail conditions on nine occasions by appearing at locations where his wife’s routine would predictably place her. In contrast, the defence maintains that these encounters were incidental, occurring while De Souza was performing official council duties in the small, tightly-knit market town.

The court previously heard from defence solicitor Ian Fisher that his client had been subjected to a "barrage" of provocative social media posts from the alleged victim but had refrained from responding. While Judge Bone acknowledged the difficulty of avoiding a spouse in a town as compact as Attleborough, he maintained strict bail conditions. De Souza remains prohibited from contacting his wife and is barred from the estate where she resides, though he has been granted access to his three children.

The case adds another chapter to the turbulent history of Attleborough Town Council, often colloquially referred to as "Battleborough" in the pages of Daily Dazzling Dawn. The authority has been a lightning rod for criticism, notably following the conviction of Councillor Stephen Fraser for criminal damage and the ongoing police review into Deputy Mayor Taila Taylor regarding a disputed £10,000 charity pledge.

De Souza, who sat impassively in the dock wearing a dark suit and yellow tie, has indicated a willingness to resign if his presence continues to distress the community, stating he does not wish to bring further disrepute to the council. As the town awaits the interim hearing scheduled for June 6, the delayed trial ensures that the administrative and personal tensions within Attleborough will remain unresolved for another twelve months.