Final member of Evil 8 paedophile ring convicted in Perth court

THE last member of the so-called “Evil 8” to face court has been found guilty after a brief judge-alone trial in Perth of raping a 13-year-old girl.

Alfred John Impicciatore, 47, sexually penetrated the girl four times in March 2015 as her father watched and joined in the abuse.

Impicciatore had struck up an online friendship with the father and it was his first visit to their Perth house.

He confessed to police about two months after the crimes, but his case was repeatedly adjourned after he failed to show up in court and changed lawyers several times.

Impicciatore was repeatedly told by magistrates the matter could not drag out any longer and he must enter a plea, but only did so in November last year.

There was also outrage that he twice secured bail.

He was arrested after he refused to go to court on one occasion and instead went to a hospital, claiming he needed treatment for stress and anxiety, and was due to face trial in May but fled to NSW while out on bail the second time.

Impicciatore was extradited to WA, kept in custody and finally faced a brief judge-alone District Court of WA trial last week.

On Tuesday, Judge Mark Herron found him guilty of four counts of sexually penetrating a child.

Defence counsel John Hawkins had claimed his client admitted raping the girl because he was stressed, anxious, cold and tired after a long police interview.

Judge Herron said he was satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt the confessions were truthful and reliable.

During the interview, Impicciatore claimed the girl’s father told him she was 17, but that cannot be used as a defence for an accused person who is more than three years older than the victim.

Impicciatore will face a sentencing hearing on March 26.

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