A Hove man who took advantage of a heavily inebriated woman he met in a bar has been jailed for rape.
Angelo Giovino, 50, of Holland Road, met his victim – a woman in her 20s – in The Bees Mouth bar in Hove one night in September 2018.
He came and sat at the table she was sharing with two friends, and when she left hours later, he followed her and got her into a taxi.
Instead of taking her home, he took her to a flat which he had been painting as part of his job and, once inside, Giovino sexually assaulted and raped her.
Police received a report from the victim the following morning, and the next day Antonio Giovino was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.
His victim was supported by specialist Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) officers, who act as a single point of contact for victims of sexual offences, supporting them from when an offence is reported through to conviction.
Giovino was subsequently charged with rape and sexual assault. At Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday, 14 February, he was found guilty of rape and one count of sexual assault.
On Friday (17 February), Giovino was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for rape and three years for sexual assault, to run concurrently.
Detective Constable Steve Bevis said: “Angelo Giovino’s victim has shown incredible strength and bravery to support this investigation, through delays caused by the Covid pandemic and a variety of reasons beyond anyone’s control.
“Without her, a dangerous individual would still be walking the streets. On behalf of myself and the Safeguarding Investigations Unit (SIU), I would like to say thank you.
“This sentence should serve as a warning to anybody looking to take advantage of vulnerable women. Our officers have the tenacity and expertise to find you and bring you to justice.”
Oh my word! This person worked in my house many times and in the homes of many other women whilst under investigation….. why did it take 5 years to bring to trial!!
I’m horrified- how many others did he lure /coerce into bed who didn’t report it as rape !
This man was my boyfriend for several years. I am deeply shocked to read this, when I knew him he was intelligent and incredibly talented. He has wasted it all. His family must be so ashamed. What a terrible thing to happen to this young woman.
He came to my house around the time that this must have happened, and quoted for some work I needed doing. He smelled of alcohol, and had a child with him. I felt very uncomfortable and was relieved when he left.