Portuguese actor Nuno Homem de Sá convicted of domestic violence, receives suspended three-year sentence

Nuno Homem de Sá was convicted on Monday, 15 June 2026, of domestic violence against his former partner Frederica Lima. The Torres Vedras court sentenced the 64-year-old actor to three years in prison, suspended, with the additional requirement that he wear an electronic bracelet for the first six months and pay €3,000 in compensation to the victim.

Sentence handed down

The court heard that Homem de Sá subjected Lima to both physical and psychological abuse. The Public Prosecutor had requested a suspended sentence, and the judge agreed. In the reading, the judge noted that the actor had no previous criminal record but pointed out that he "did not assume the proven facts" and had minimised them.

“Of course I'm nervous, wouldn't you be? Whoever knows the truth has the truth on their side.”

Before the sentence was read, Homem de Sá spoke to reporters, appearing nervous but confident. He denied accusations of stalking on the A1 motorway, claiming that Lima’s ex-boyfriend had already refuted that allegation.

Victim's reaction

After the verdict, Frederica Lima posted a video on Instagram showing her lawyer, Dr. Miguel Matias, speaking to journalists. She thanked him for his "enormous competence, professionalism and posture" and said she would let his words stand as her own.

“I promised my lawyer and the Court that I would not speak during the trial. I kept that promise.”

Lima also addressed the wider issue of domestic violence penalties, writing: "Every day I see the news and the numbers of domestic violence and violence against women increase, nobody does anything, the criminal frameworks are weak and the sentences, when applied, are suspended in their execution."

“Today I am more serene, only because I accepted that true justice would never be done and I had to resign myself to that.”

She described the only victory as clearing her name and proving she had always told the truth, but stressed that no suspended sentence would return the "years of torture" she endured or give her peace and safety.

A two-year legal process

Frederica Lima first brought the case about two years ago. In September 2025, Homem de Sá appeared before a judge in Loures, who imposed an identity-and-residence order, barred him from approaching within 500 metres of Lima's home and workplace, and prohibited any contact with her. In November 2025, Lima gave a detailed interview to SIC in which she spoke of "kicks" and "slaps" during their relationship.

The trial concluded on 15 June 2026, with the actor receiving a suspended prison term and the electronic monitoring condition. Lima’s lawyer, Dr. Miguel Matias, who also represented victims in the Casa Pia case, was central to her defence throughout.