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Violent Melbourne rapist jailed for torture of Dutch backpacker, 21, he kept as sex slave for six weeks | Violent Melbourne rapist jailed for torture of Dutch backpacker, 21, he kept as sex slave for six weeks |
(7 months later) | |
A sadistic drug addict who kept a Dutch backpacker captive in a hotel room where he violently raped and beat her has been jailed for 17 years. | A sadistic drug addict who kept a Dutch backpacker captive in a hotel room where he violently raped and beat her has been jailed for 17 years. |
Alfio Anthony Granata carved a cross into the forehead of his victim, then 21, with a knife and told her she was marked for death during the six week ordeal in a Melbourne hotel room in 2012. | Alfio Anthony Granata carved a cross into the forehead of his victim, then 21, with a knife and told her she was marked for death during the six week ordeal in a Melbourne hotel room in 2012. |
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to nine counts of rape and charges of theft, threats to kill and intentionally causing serious injury that left his victim with 54 bruises and abrasions. | The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to nine counts of rape and charges of theft, threats to kill and intentionally causing serious injury that left his victim with 54 bruises and abrasions. |
In the County Court of Victoria, in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday, Judge Frank Gucciardo said Granata's behaviour was vile and repulsive and had dehumanised his victim. | In the County Court of Victoria, in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday, Judge Frank Gucciardo said Granata's behaviour was vile and repulsive and had dehumanised his victim. |
He must serve at least 13 years behind bars before being eligible for parole. | He must serve at least 13 years behind bars before being eligible for parole. |
“The victim was in constant pain. She was degraded and humiliated,” Judge Gucciardo said. | “The victim was in constant pain. She was degraded and humiliated,” Judge Gucciardo said. |
At one point during the ordeal in November and December the victim was beaten so badly she was unable to see or eat. | |
She was whipped with a mobile phone charger, which left lacerations and ripped her skin off, and she was raped with household items and told she would be killed. | She was whipped with a mobile phone charger, which left lacerations and ripped her skin off, and she was raped with household items and told she would be killed. |
On one occasion Granata, an ice addict since 2008, took the victim and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Peaston by the hair and smashed their heads together, causing the 21-year-old's nose to break. | On one occasion Granata, an ice addict since 2008, took the victim and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Peaston by the hair and smashed their heads together, causing the 21-year-old's nose to break. |
Ice is a stimulant and a type of methamphetamine which is generally stronger and more addictive than the powder form of the drug, known as speed. | Ice is a stimulant and a type of methamphetamine which is generally stronger and more addictive than the powder form of the drug, known as speed. |
The court heard Granata filmed his crimes and at least seven cameras were installed inside the hotel room and bathroom at the Rydges Bell City hotel in Melbourne. | The court heard Granata filmed his crimes and at least seven cameras were installed inside the hotel room and bathroom at the Rydges Bell City hotel in Melbourne. |
Judge Gucciardo described Granata's actions as “akin to torture over a protracted period”. | Judge Gucciardo described Granata's actions as “akin to torture over a protracted period”. |
Over the course of about six weeks the victim was forced to perform oral sex on Granata, was strangled, stabbed and cut. | Over the course of about six weeks the victim was forced to perform oral sex on Granata, was strangled, stabbed and cut. |
Granata conducted a ritual that involved putting a photograph of the victim into an envelope along with her hair, nail clippings and blood, telling her the act symbolised her being no more. | Granata conducted a ritual that involved putting a photograph of the victim into an envelope along with her hair, nail clippings and blood, telling her the act symbolised her being no more. |
He said all that would be left of the victim was what was in the envelope. | He said all that would be left of the victim was what was in the envelope. |
The victim's nightmare came to an end on December 24 when she struck Granata with a knife and began to cut herself until the pair called an ambulance. | |
The victim was rescued by paramedics and Granata told police the victim was a trouble-maker and he had been drugged by her. | The victim was rescued by paramedics and Granata told police the victim was a trouble-maker and he had been drugged by her. |
The backpacker initially met Granata and his partner at a mutual friend's birthday party in St Kilda in November 2012. | The backpacker initially met Granata and his partner at a mutual friend's birthday party in St Kilda in November 2012. |
The three soon became friends and began a consensual sexual relationship but after using copious amounts of the drug ice, Granata became violent and paranoid that his girlfriend and the victim were conspiring to run away together. | The three soon became friends and began a consensual sexual relationship but after using copious amounts of the drug ice, Granata became violent and paranoid that his girlfriend and the victim were conspiring to run away together. |
The court heard his brutality was born out of suspicion the victim and his girlfriend had been engaging in sex acts together and a desire to punish her. | The court heard his brutality was born out of suspicion the victim and his girlfriend had been engaging in sex acts together and a desire to punish her. |
Defence barrister Peter Chadwick argued during the plea hearing the offending was linked to Granata's two-grams-a-day ice addiction. | Defence barrister Peter Chadwick argued during the plea hearing the offending was linked to Granata's two-grams-a-day ice addiction. |
Judge Gucciardo said there was no reduced moral culpability because the abuse was ongoing and Granata would have experienced clear moments and periods of lucidity. | Judge Gucciardo said there was no reduced moral culpability because the abuse was ongoing and Granata would have experienced clear moments and periods of lucidity. |
He said Granata's remorse was superficial and “very slight indeed”. | He said Granata's remorse was superficial and “very slight indeed”. |
In a victim impact statement, the young woman said she had become anxious and depressed and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. | In a victim impact statement, the young woman said she had become anxious and depressed and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. |
She was frequently assailed by memories that left her barely able to function and the injuries inflicted on her remained painful. | She was frequently assailed by memories that left her barely able to function and the injuries inflicted on her remained painful. |
Granata, a father of three, was convicted of all charges, including two drugs charges. | Granata, a father of three, was convicted of all charges, including two drugs charges. |
He has already served 836 days of pre-sentence detention. | He has already served 836 days of pre-sentence detention. |
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