ERNESTO CERALDI AND SHOCKING ATTACK IN MANCHESTER
A police dog handler named Ernesto Ceraldi has been sentenced to prison after a violent and sexually assaultive incident that took place in Manchester.The incident came to light during a court hearing where it was revealed that Ceraldi, a member of Greater Manchester Police, had committed a serious series of assaultive acts against a woman.
The events unfolded after Ceraldi met the woman at a pub in Rossendale on April 1st.
According to court evidence, after their meeting, he was invited back to her residence in Manchester.
During this visit, the two shared wine, and Ceraldi displayed photographs of his police dog, indicating a seemingly casual connection up to that point.
However, things quickly turned sinister.
The prosecuting lawyer, David Traynor QC, detailed how Ceraldi’s behavior abruptly changed during the encounter.
He demanded the woman perform a sexual act, grabbed her hair, and forced her into a wall, knocking a picture down and smashing it in the process.
The court was told that Ceraldi, who was then naked, also put his hand around her throat, exerting pressure that was described as horrific, almost to the point of making her stop breathing.
Ceraldi’s assault continued as he repeatedly punched the woman.
Despite her efforts to escape, he persisted in his violent attack, chasing her through her home.
Fortunately, a neighbor heard her screams and came to her aid.
Amidst the chaos, Ceraldi re-entered the property and was later found by police sleeping naked on her sofa, with his leg caught through the arm of a jacket.
The woman, who has since given a statement, expressed the deep sense of betrayal she felt given Ceraldi’s status as a police officer.
She voiced her disillusionment, saying, “As Ceraldi had been a police officer, I should have been able to trust him without a shadow of a doubt.” She further revealed the lasting effects of her trauma, stating that while her physical injuries have healed, the psychological scars remain.
She shared her fears about venturing outside alone after dark and indicated that she now needs someone with her at all times for reassurance.
The court heard that Ceraldi, who is currently without a fixed address, has since resigned from the police force.
His prior achievements, including commendations for work during the 2008 Uefa Cup final and in the 2011 Salford riots, were noted by his defense, Julian King, who argued that the incident was out of character and exacerbated by alcohol consumption.
During the sentencing, Judge Simon Medland QC characterized Ceraldi’s actions as aggressive, coercive, and violent.
He pointed out that the former officer abused his position of authority to gain the woman’s confidence before subjecting her to a brutal attack that left her in genuine fear for her life.
The judge acknowledged that Ceraldi appeared to show remorse, highlighting his plea of guilty at a pre-trial hearing, which contrasted with his earlier denial of the charges.
As part of his sentence, Ceraldi was ordered to register as a sexual offender for the remainder of his life and was placed under a restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim.
This case underscores the profound breach of trust and the severity of the violence inflicted, bringing to light the disturbing actions of a man who once served as an officer in Manchester’s police force.
