Online post urged rape of daughter

A RESTAURANT worker who admitted urging his Facebook “friends” to rape his ex-boss’s daughter may withdraw his guilty plea.

Tonino Venditti engaged new lawyers to represent him in the ongoing case at Livingston Sheriff Court.

But the hearing was adjourned yesterday to allow legal aid to be transferred to his new legal team.

Venditti, 42, was due to be sentenced for posting messages on Facebook inciting others to go to restaurant director Dario Bianchini’s home and steal all his belongings.

He also admitted inciting others to rape 65-year-old Mr Bianchini’s daughter.

The offence was allegedly committed at Venditti’s home on August 1 this year.

But his lawyer Matthew Berlow withdrew from the case when it was last called after being given “divergent instructions”. He said he was unable to continue because Venditti had told social workers that other people were to blame for posting the Facebook messages.

Venditti, of Whitburn, West Lothian, was defended by solicitor Alan Jackson at yesterday’s hearing.

Sheriff Celia Sanderson adjourned the hearing until January 18.