Key Takeaways
- Tom Silvagni, the 23-year-old son of AFL great Stephen Silvagni and TV personality Jo Silvagni, has filed an application for leave to appeal his rape convictions
- Silvagni was sentenced to six years and two months in jail by the County Court of Victoria in December
- The appeal application has been lodged with the Court of Appeal, with Silvagni’s parents having previously indicated they would investigate appeal options
- Silvagni was convicted of two counts of rape, with the court hearing that he had pretended to be the victim’s boyfriend and later doctored an Uber receipt to create doubts about his involvement
- The case has drawn significant attention due to Silvagni’s high-profile family, including his grandfather Sergio and brother Jack, who have both played for Carlton
Introduction to the Case
The case of Tom Silvagni has been a highly publicized and contentious one, with the 23-year-old son of AFL great Stephen Silvagni and TV personality Jo Silvagni being sentenced to six years and two months in jail for two counts of rape. In December, the County Court of Victoria handed down the sentence, and now Silvagni’s lawyers have filed an application for leave to appeal the convictions. This development is the latest twist in a case that has drawn significant attention due to Silvagni’s high-profile family, which includes his grandfather Sergio, a two-time premiership player for the Blues, and his brother Jack, who has played for Carlton and is now signed to St Kilda.
The Trial and Conviction
At his trial last year, the court heard that Silvagni had raped a woman in January 2024 after entering the dark bedroom she was staying in and climbing into her bed. Prosecutors alleged that Silvagni had pretended to be the woman’s boyfriend, who had already left the home, in order to gain her trust and commit the crime. The court also heard that Silvagni had later doctored an Uber receipt to make it appear that the woman’s boyfriend had stayed at the home later, in an attempt to create doubts about his involvement in the crime. The prosecution’s case relied on the testimony of the victim, as well as other evidence, to prove Silvagni’s guilt. The jury ultimately found Silvagni guilty of two counts of rape, and he was sentenced to six years and two months in jail.
The Victim’s Impact Statement
In her victim impact statement, the young woman who was raped by Silvagni told the court that the offence "haunts me every single day". She addressed Silvagni directly, saying "Tom Silvagni, you raped me. Not once, but twice. You know this, I know this, and now so does everyone else." The statement highlights the significant and ongoing impact that the crime has had on the victim, and the importance of holding Silvagni accountable for his actions. The statement also underscores the need for the justice system to take sexual assault cases seriously and to provide support and resources to victims.
The Appeal Application
The appeal application filed by Silvagni’s lawyers marks the latest development in the case. A spokesperson for Victoria’s Supreme Court confirmed that the documents had been lodged with the Court of Appeal, and that the application would be considered in due course. Silvagni’s parents had previously indicated that they would be investigating appeal options, and it appears that they are following through on this commitment. The appeal application will likely argue that there were errors in the trial process or that the sentence handed down was excessive. However, the specifics of the appeal application have not been made public, and it is unclear what grounds the appeal will be based on.
The High-Profile Nature of the Case
The case has drawn significant attention due to Silvagni’s high-profile family. His parents, Stephen and Jo Silvagni, are well-known figures in Australian sport and media, and his grandfather Sergio and brother Jack have also played for Carlton. The case has raised questions about the role of privilege and entitlement in the justice system, with some arguing that Silvagni’s high-profile connections may have influenced the way the case was handled. However, it is worth noting that the justice system is designed to treat all individuals equally, regardless of their background or connections. The case will continue to be closely watched as it makes its way through the appeal process, with many interested in seeing how the justice system will ultimately handle the case.