Woman killed lover during sex game gone wrong involving collar and handcuffs

A woman who killed her lover during a sex game that went dramatically wrong has been ordered by an court to pay the victim’s family £390,000 damages. Regional transport boss Riccardo Sansebastiano, 61, died after suffocating during a bondage session involving collars and handcuffs with his lover architect Gianna Damonte, now aged 67. She was eventually convicted of manslaughter in 2022 after a long running case and sentenced to a year in jail – though the judge said Mr Sansebastiano had "actively contributed to his death" by choosing the equipment used. Now a civil court in Alessandria, Italy , where the couple lived, has ordered Damonte to pay £390,000 damages to the man’s wife and three children. With fees and interest, the final payout could top £400,000. Judge Matteo Martoroni Venturini ruled that although Damonte had been convicted of manslaughter Mr Sansebastiano was "60% responsible" for his own death as he confirmed the criminal conviction handed out by the court in Turin. At the original trial prosecutors said Mr Sansebastiano who had been having an affair with Damonte for more than 20 years, died after "hours of agony" and his body was found in July 2016. The court heard how the two had met at her third-floor apartment in Alessandria just after lunch where they began their session in the attic, but Damonte had then left leaving her partner tied to a post and when she returned she found him still tied up and near death. Damonte called paramedics but, when they arrived at the scene Mr Sansebastiano was found to be beyond resuscitation and declared dead. Investigators found several empty alcohol bottles, ropes and the ligature at the scene and said that high temperatures that day had also contributed to his tragic death. The woman explained to investigators that it was an agreed-upon ritual, as well as the fact that she would return to free him after a few hours. During the trial, Damonte said they had been in a relationship for several years and that the ligature had also been practiced for some time. She told the court: "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 attack, 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. "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 2.15pm, it's what he wanted and got back around three hours later. "I went upstairs to the attic and he was moaning in agony, I untied him and gave him some water, I tried to give him CPR and then I called the paramedics but it was too late." At his church funeral a few weeks later his wife Nicoletta Boido told stunned mourners in a withering put-down: "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." Massimo Grattarola, the lawyer for the family of the victim, said: '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."