An NDG businessman accused of assaulting and raping four sex workers a decade ago was found guilty in court Tuesday.
Montreal police said they always had suspicions that Giovanni D'Amico might be behind a string of violent attacks against sex workers in the early 2000s, but short of solid evidence, they were required to wait for DNA evidence in order to arrest him in 2008.
D’Amico was charged with assaulting and raping four sex workers who worked in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and in Verdun.
D’Amico’s method was always the same: He would pay for sexual services, but would then violently attack the women, and perform acts to which they didn't consent.
During the lengthy trial, spread over four years, the defence challenged the reliability of the victims, some of whom were reluctant to cooperate with police, making the prosecution's case that much more difficult. One victim also died before she could testify at trial.
Police, however, had eye witnesses, and most importantly, DNA evidence.
His victims said they are overjoyed with the guilty verdict, even if they had to wait a decade for justice.
The prosecution blamed part of the delays in the trial on the defence.
Despite the seriousness of the crime, D'Amico was granted bail following his arrest. He now remains free on bail until sentencing, though the prosecution is now asking the judge to revoke that bail following the guilty verdict.
The prosecution is now expected to demand a lengthy jail sentence for D’Amico.
