Victoria de Sousa, the ex-wife of three-time champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa, is set to stand trial after being charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The 39-year-old mother-of-three appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday following an alleged assault on her former husband in July.
The case was adjourned until September 12 after her counsel, Ella Ripper, stated that her client had not yet consulted her trial barrister. Judge Andrew Hurst expressed concern over the delay, saying: 'I am concerned we have got to today, almost a month after Mrs De Sousa's appearance at Ipswich, and effectively she is unclear about what her plea is.' He added: 'We need to get a grip on this case.'
De Sousa is on conditional bail, which includes wearing an electronic tag. Her lawyer applied for the tag to be removed, arguing that it hindered her work as a riding instructor by making it difficult to wear riding boots. Ms Ripper told the court: 'She has specific riding boots she has to wear and has to ride horses before the children she teaches ride them. Recently she had a fall because she was wearing ankle boots. The tag is preventing her doing her job properly and she is losing about £5,000 a month as a result of being electronically tagged.' Judge Hurst denied the application.
Silvestre de Sousa, born in Brazil, is one of Britain's most successful Flat jockeys, having won the championship three times. His major wins include the 1,000 Guineas, Champion Stakes, Juddmonte International and Dubai World Cup. Last year he rode Charyn to victory in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, Prix Jacques le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The 44-year-old has ridden 39 winners this year out of a British career total of 1,958.
