In a tragic incident, a woman was ordered by a court in Alessandria, Italy, to pay £390,000 in damages to the family of her lover after a fatal mishap during a bondage session led to his death. The deceased, regional transport executive Riccardo Sansebastiano, 61, passed away from suffocation while engaged in a bondage game with his partner, architect Gianna Damonte, now 67. Damonte was later convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a year in prison, with the court noting that Sansebastiano bore some responsibility for his own demise by selecting the equipment used.

Judge Matteo Martoroni Venturini affirmed Damonte’s manslaughter conviction, attributing 60% of the responsibility for the death to Sansebastiano. Prosecutors detailed that the tragic incident occurred after hours of suffering, with Sansebastiano found tied up and near death in Damonte’s apartment attic following a bondage session. Despite Damonte’s efforts to call for medical assistance, Sansebastiano was pronounced dead upon paramedics’ arrival, with investigators citing the high temperatures on the day as a contributing factor to the tragedy.

During the trial, Damonte explained that the bondage ritual was consensual and part of their longstanding relationship. She recounted the events leading to Sansebastiano’s death, stating that he had requested to be handcuffed, tied up, and collared. Despite her discomfort with such activities, Damonte complied with his wishes, leaving him tied up while she briefly left to attend to work matters. Upon her return, she found Sansebastiano in distress, attempted to resuscitate him, and called for help, albeit unsuccessfully.

Following the court ruling on compensation, the victim’s family expressed a degree of satisfaction, though acknowledging the enduring pain caused by the tragic incident. Massimo Grattarola, the family’s lawyer, indicated that while the compensation amount could have been higher considering the suffering endured by the victim, the family was relieved to see the case come to a close pending any appeals.