Two senior police officers allegedly lured a 17-year-old schoolgirl into a hotel room and tried to rape her days after meeting her at a train station
- Two officers accused of luring schoolgirl into hotel and attempting to rape her
- James Delinicolis and Angelo Dellosa charged over alleged incident March 2020
- Prosecutors allege Delinicolis met girl at train station and took her back to hotel
- Court told Dellosa held her down while Delinicolis tried to have sex with girl
Two policemen are accused of luring a 17-year-old girl they met at a train station into a hotel and attempting to rape her.
James Delinicolis, 29, allegedly met the girl on duty while she was waiting for a bus in her school uniform in southwest Sydney in March 2020.
Days later he invited her to the hotel room and one they were there he allegedly attempted to rape her while Angelo Dellosa, 30, held her down.
James Delinicolis, 29, (left) and Angelo Dellosa, 30, (right) were arrested and charged following the alleged incident in southwest Sydney in March 2020
The pair face five charges including attempted rape, misconduct in public office and three counts of recording an intimate image without consent.
The pair initially denied the charges in August when they were granted bail, but on Thursday their lawyer indicated this may change.
Lawyer Yashvi Shah told Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court the matter could be settled without a trial.
‘There are serious talks of perhaps having this matter finalised by way of sentence, as opposed to going to trial,’ he said.
He said lawyers have been locked in negotiations with prosecutors to finalise their clients’ cases, The Australian reported.
Lawyer Yashvi Shah told Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday the matter could be settled without a trial (pictured, Delinicolis leaving court on Thursday)
The court adjourned the matter until May 13.
Delinicolis, who was waiting outside the courtroom, left without providing further comment to reporters.
The court previously heard that after arranging to meet the girl at the Ramada Hotel in Cabramatta on March 13, Delincolis allegedly tried anally rape the girl while co-accused Dellosa pinned her down.
Crown Prosecutor Sally Stuart told the court it was a clear the teenager did not consent.
‘She made it extremely clear and said no several times and was held down against her will by the co-accused (Dellosa),’ she said.
Detectives alleged the pair, who were working out of the Bankstown Police Transport Command, filmed the encounter so they could watch it later.
Dellosa’s (pictured) legal team was only accused of being involved towards the end of the alleged encounter
Delinicolis’ lawyer Phillip Strickland SC in August argued the encounter was consensual.
‘At the hotel when the intercourse occurred there were sexual acts done consensually before the alleged offence and after the alleged offence,’ he said.
Dellosa’s legal team argued his alleged involvement was significantly less serious, and he had not invite the girl back to the hotel.
He said Dellosa was only accused of being involved towards the end of the alleged encounter.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn warned the officers a guilty verdict would bring a significant penalty.
‘I can’t say that’s a weak case at all, it may well come under challenge to consent issues, but I can’t say it’s a weak case,’ she said.
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