'Dangerous monster' jailed for violent sex attack on student in Sheffield
The victim flew back from her home in China to see him put behind bars
A ‘dangerous and perverted monster’ who subjected a Chinese student to a violent and prolonged sex attack in Sheffield after meeting her on a dating app has been jailed for 22 years.
Leo Del Pellegrino, 26, from Addlestone in Surrey, was found guilty of nine counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
During the eight-day trial, the court heard from the victim who flew back from China to give evidence and see her attacker jailed.
Detective Constable Leon Hobson, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: “Del Pellegrino was persistent in his efforts to meet the victim in November last year, who reluctantly agreed out of politeness. He then persuaded her to let him into her flat, under the guise of using the toilet.
“Shortly after, he subjected the woman to a violent, prolonged and degrading serious of sexual acts, during which he raped her at knife-point multiple times. He also cut her with a knife, tied her hands together and took photos of her during the acts, which he threatened to release if she ever told anyone.
“This vile and depraved individual also wrote obscene graffiti on the woman’s body before thankfully, she was able to escape and call for help when Del Pellegrino fell asleep.
“I cannot quite put into words the exceptional bravery and courage this woman has shown in travelling back to Sheffield, where she was a student at the time of the offence, to give evidence.
“She has come back alone and as a result of Del Pellegrino pleading not guilty has had to re-live what happened and re-tell her story to the court. Her determination to see that he was made to answer for his crimes is nothing short of inspirational.”
Claire MacDonald from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The terror and suffering Del Pellegrino inflicted on his victim is unimaginable.
“This man is, without doubt, a very serious danger to women. Today he has been found guilty of multiple offences and his dangerousness is reflected in the extended sentence of 22 years in prison. Our thoughts remain with his victim as they have been throughout.”
Before the trial, Del Pellegrino pleaded guilty to six counts of possession of indecent images of children and extreme pornography. For this, he received a further 10 years to run concurrently