Tom Silvagni, the son of Australian Rules football great Stephen Silvagni, has formally lodged an appeal against his rape convictions, less than a month after being sentenced to six years in prison.
The Conviction and Sentencing
The 23-year-old was found guilty on December 5 of two charges of rape following a trial at the Victorian County Court. He had denied digitally raping a woman, known under the pseudonym Samantha Taylor, at his Melbourne home in the early hours of January 14, 2024.
On December 17, Judge Gregory Lyon sentenced Silvagni to six years and two months behind bars, with a non-parole period of three years and three months. The judge described the offending as "egregious and callous."
Details of the Assault
The court heard that Ms Taylor, who had a brief relationship with Silvagni's friend Anthony LoGiudice, was invited to the house by Silvagni's girlfriend, Alannah Iaconis. After socialising, the group went to bed separately, and Ms Taylor had consensual sex with Mr LoGiudice.
Mr LoGiudice then left the property via an Uber just before 2am. Silvagni subsequently went to Ms Taylor's room and lied, telling her Mr LoGiudice's Uber had been cancelled and he would return. A short time later, Silvagni entered the dark bedroom, pretended to be his friend, and digitally raped the young woman twice.
In the aftermath, Silvagni fabricated an Uber receipt to make it appear Mr LoGiudice had left after 2:30am. He admitted to forging the document but claimed he panicked after being falsely accused.
Appeal Lodged and Family's Stance
The Victorian Court of Appeal confirmed on Wednesday that Silvagni's lawyers have filed an appeal against the two convictions. The specific grounds for the appeal have not yet been made public.
Following his conviction in December, Silvagni's parents issued a statement asserting their son's innocence and his intention to clear his name.
Support services are available:
- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
- National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
