Silvagni to face court after being convicted of rape

There had been a suppression over his identity since he was first charged with rape in June 2024, with his lawyers arguing publication could lead to the deterioration of his mental health.

But Judge Andrew Palmer lifted the order on Thursday, ruling it was no longer necessary given the trial had been run and Silvagni would be under close watch in custody. 

There had also been extensive discussion online identifying Silvagni as the convicted rapist, the judge said.

"At some point he will have to reconcile himself to the reality that he has committed these offences and there is media interest," Judge Palmer said on Thursday.

Silvagni had repeatedly denied he digitally raped his friend's girlfriend at his Melbourne home in the early hours of January 14, 2024.

The jury was told the woman had consensual sex with her boyfriend at the house but then he organised an Uber and left the property shortly before 2am. 

Silvagni then lied, telling the woman her boyfriend would be returning upstairs because his Uber had been cancelled.

But it was Silvagni who went into the dark bedroom a short time later and pretended to be the woman's boyfriend before digitally raping her twice. 

In the days after, he doctored an Uber receipt to make it look like the victim's boyfriend had left the house after 2.30am.

Silvagni admitted forging the receipt but said he did so because he panicked after being falsely accused of rape.  

But the jury rejected his story, finding him guilty of two counts of rape. 

He is due to face a pre-sentence hearing on Friday when his lawyers will make submissions on sentence.

The maximum jail term for rape is 25 years. 

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