Police described it as ‘the ultimate deception’ after Blade Silvano pretended to be a man so she could have sex with another woman was jailed for more than 10 years. Detective Constable Leeza Phillips said: “This was an extraordinary investigation and unlike any case I’ve seen before in Cambridgeshire.
“Silvano carried out the ultimate deception and has caused extreme distress to her victim.
Silvano, 41, began talking to the victim, a woman, through an online dating site in 2016.
Picture by Terry Harris.
Her profile stated she was a man looking for a woman, while the victim’s profile stated she was a woman looking for a man.
After a few weeks exchanging messages, the pair met up in Peterborough where the victim lived and began a sexual relationship, with the victim still unaware Silvano was a woman.
Silvano continued to deceive the victim by hiding her genital area and claiming “he” was receiving cancer treatment.
Silvano also claimed to be an army officer, sent the victim photos of herself shaving and never allowed her to see her naked.
The pair continued a sexual relationship for more than a year and even planned to get married, until, in 2018, the victim discovered a Facebook profile for Silvano, which revealed her true gender.
The victim contacted police, explaining she did not consent to sex with a woman.
Silvano, of Lydham, Shropshire, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault after a week-long trial at Cambridge Crown Court earlier this year.
She was sentenced to 10 years, six months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court today (20 December).
She was also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Detective Constable Leeza Phillips said: “Without the full facts, the victim was not able to give her consent to a sexual relationship and this whole situation has left her feeling violated and traumatised.
“As this case highlights, we have specially trained officers who are there to support victims and bring offenders to justice.
“I hope the victim and her family can now find some closure from this traumatic period.”
For more information about consent, visit the force dedicated webpage.
