Essex thief exposed genitals and peered through windows

Alexander De-Souza has been punished after he admitted committing seven crimes in and around Colchester this year.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard his spree of offences began on March 19 when he stole a bottle of Chekov vodka worth £7.29 from Marks Tey Post Office.

On the same day De Souza, of Station Road, Marks Tey, threatened a man and put him in fear of violence being committed against him.

The 39-year-old then headed to Colchester’s Asda, in Turner Rise, two days later and stole £9 worth of Tyskie beer having entered as a trespasser.

Theft - De-Souza stole beer from Marks Tey Post Office

His crimes then paused for just short of three months before continuing on June 6 when he assaulted a woman by beating her.

On June 8 he then stole a can of Fosters belonging to a man and exposed his genitals.

The court heard De-Souza had also been harassing a couple in Colchester, with a magistrates report reading it “amounted to the harassment of them on multiple occasions by knocking on the door and peering through the window leading into their address”.

These offences are understood to have taken place between May 5 and June 6.

De-Souza, who faced the crimes spread across three separate indictments, admitted three counts of theft and sole counts of harassment, causing fear of violence, assault and committing a sexual offence.

Supermarket - beer was pinched from Asda, Colchester

Magistrates ordered De-Souza to be treated for alcohol dependency by rehabilitation service Phoenix Futures for six months, something he is “willing” to do.

He was also electronically tagged so a four-month curfew could take place, compelling the 39-year-old to remain at his property in Marks Tey between 8pm and 7am.

De-Souza must also undertake a further rehabilitation activity imposed upon him by the probation service for up to 40 days and sign the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

Magistrates ordered £16.29 to be paid in compensation for the stolen alcohol.