A court in Alessandria, Italy, mandates that architect Gianna Damonte, 67, pay £390,000 in damages to the family of her lover, regional transport executive Riccardo Sansebastiano, 61, who suffocated during a bondage session involving collars and handcuffs.
The Fatal Bondage Session
Sansebastiano died in July 2016 following hours of agony during an intimate encounter at Damonte’s third-floor apartment in Alessandria. The couple, who had maintained an affair for over 20 years, engaged in a ritualistic bondage activity in the attic. Damonte secured him to a post with ropes, handcuffs, and a collar before leaving for her office around 2:15 p.m. She returned three hours later to find him moaning in distress, untied him, administered water and CPR, and summoned paramedics, but resuscitation efforts failed.
Investigators discovered empty alcohol bottles, ropes, and a ligature at the scene, noting that high temperatures that day exacerbated the tragedy.
Criminal Conviction
In 2022, a Turin court convicted Damonte of manslaughter and imposed a one-year prison sentence. The judge acknowledged that Sansebastiano actively contributed to his death by selecting the restraints used.
Civil Court Ruling
Judge Matteo Martoroni Venturini upheld the manslaughter conviction but apportioned 60% responsibility to Sansebastiano. The ruling requires Damonte to compensate his wife, Nicoletta Boido, and their three children £390,000, potentially exceeding £400,000 with fees and interest.
Damonte’s Testimony
Damonte described the event during the trial: “He opened the door for me, he had sent me a text while I was in the office and he had painted his nails red and was wearing a fishnet top. We had a drink together and then we went to the attic. We had met in the late 90s but we had been experimenting with erotic games for ten years; it was a well-worn ritual so there was no hint of danger.”
She added: “It was a very hot day; he leant up against the post and I tied him up as he wanted. To be honest, I wasn’t much of a fan but it’s what he wanted. That day he asked me to put handcuffs on him, tie him up and put a collar around his neck. I stayed for a bit and then left to go back to the office at around 2:15 p.m.; it’s what he wanted and got back around three hours later.”
Family’s Response
At Sansebastiano’s church funeral, his wife Nicoletta Boido addressed mourners: “I am Riccardo’s wife; he was a believer but I am not. During his agonising death, the details of which you all will know, he will no doubt have found time to reflect upon the error of his ways. But let’s not forget all the good works and gestures that he did for so many.”
Family lawyer Massimo Grattarola stated: “We are satisfied with the compensation ruling, except for the suffering endured by the victim, which perhaps could have been increased in amount. However, if there is no appeal, the family will be happy to have this extremely painful case brought to an end.”
