Man found guilty of rape of woman in St Leonards

Tuesday, 18 November 2025 08:00

By Philip Keeler @keeler_philip

A man will face sentencing after being found guilty of two counts of rape in Sussex.

Carlo Di Tella, 46, stood trial accused of the rapes on a woman known to him in St Leonards.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, received support from specialist officers.

She has been praised for her bravery and courage during the trial process at Lewes Crown Court.

The court was told how Di Tella had targeted the woman while she slept.

The offences happened in January 2023, and the victim reported her experience to the police.

Investigating officer PC Sally Smith said: “The jury reached a unanimous decision within two hours on October 27.

“This was a complex investigation and we were determined to get justice for the victim who was extremely brave and courageous when she reported the rape almost three years ago.

“She continued to support the investigation through the trial process. It shows we take reports of rape extremely seriously, and we encourage victims of rape and serious sexual offences to report their experience to the police.”

More information about help and support available to victims of rape and sexual assault is available online here.

More details about how Sussex Police investigates reports of rape and sexual assault is online here.

Di Tella, formerly of Bohemia Road, St Leonards, was remanded in custody and faces sentencing on 16 January next year.

More from Local News

Appeal after man assaulted in suspected road rage incident near Petworth

Police are appealing for witnesses after a suspected road rage incident in Petworth.
County Council launches drive to boost nature recovery in West Sussex

A new natural flood management scheme in Upper Beeding has become the first project to receive funding from West Sussex County Council, as part of a wider £ 2.5 million plan to boost nature recovery.
Tackling knife crime to make our streets safer in Sussex

Reducing knife crime and raising awareness of its dangers remain a major focus for Sussex Police.
Pulborough man jailed for raping and sexually assaulting nine-year-old boy

In July, 2022, police received a report from Social Services that the victim had been sexually abused by Steven Smith in June of that year.
Unanimous cross-party support in Arun for motion to strengthen local enforcement

Arun District Council has unanimously approved a motion calling for stronger enforcement powers to help protect local standards and improve the wellbeing of residents. The cross-party support reflects what councillors described as a shared determination to respond more effectively to community concerns.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary wins Innovator for Animal Welfare Award at the RSPCA PawPrints Awards 2025

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has won a national award for its Humane Animal Dispatch volunteer scheme.
Hampshire Councillors’ gift registers unchanged for years

Nearly a third of Hampshire’s county councillors have not updated their public register of gifts and hospitality for 2025, with some declarations dating back as far as 2021.
King’s Award for dedicated Eastbourne Area Community First Responders

South East Coast Ambulance Service’s Eastbourne Community First Responder team has been recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour given to a volunteer group in the UK.
Tom finishes epic cycle challenge from Africa to Plumpton in memory of 22-year-old sister

Two best friends are due to complete an epic three-week, 2,600-kilometre cycling challenge today, riding from Morocco back to Plumpton Racecourse near Lewes.
Lively public meeting in Crowborough over plans to house 600 asylum seekers

The Home Office has sought to reassure residents in Crowborough that it can safely and effectively manage proposals to house 600 asylum seekers at the town’s army training camp. The assurance came during a tense public meeting on Thursday evening, where local people voiced strong concerns over community safety, the impact on local services and the scale of the plans.