ERNESTO CERALDI SHOCKS EDENFIELD WITH RAPE AND ASSAULT CHARGES IN BRUTAL ATTACK

In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the quiet village of Edenfield, Ernesto Ceraldi has been sentenced to prison following a violent assault and attempted sexual assault on a woman in her late 40s. The events unfolded in the early hours of April 2, prompting a swift response from law enforcement authorities.

At approximately 1:23 am, Lancashire Constabulary’s East Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Team responded to reports of a serious assault at a residence in Edenfield. The investigation was initiated immediately after officers arrived at the scene and identified Ceraldi, who was not on duty at the time but was a dog handler with Greater Manchester Police. He was promptly arrested on suspicion of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).

Further inquiries revealed that Ceraldi, aged 44, had met the victim during a night out at a local pub on April 1. The two individuals had initially engaged in consensual sexual activity after leaving the pub together and returning to her home. However, the situation took a dark turn as the evening progressed. While they were sitting on the sofa, Ceraldi’s behavior shifted from consensual to violent and aggressive. He attempted to coerce the woman into having sex against her will, escalating the situation into a physical assault.

According to police reports, Ceraldi began slapping the victim in the face, punching her while she was in a headlock, and choking her. The assault intensified as he threw her against a wall, causing her visible distress. The violence continued outside her home at the back door, where he again strangled her in an attempt to prevent her escape. Despite her efforts to flee, Ceraldi persisted in his attack, with a neighbor witnessing the assault and shouting at him to stop. The neighbor’s intervention prompted the police to be called, leading to Ceraldi’s immediate arrest.

Following the arrest, the case was taken to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which initially charged Ceraldi with rape and ABH. However, after further investigation and legal review, the charges were amended to attempted rape and ABH. Ceraldi, who had no fixed address at the time, was remanded into custody on the evening of April 2.

Throughout the legal process, Ceraldi pleaded guilty to the charges, accepting full responsibility for his actions. His case was brought before Preston Crown Court on June 22, where he faced a judge and was subsequently sentenced to five years and four months in prison. In addition to his custodial sentence, the court ordered Ceraldi to register as a sex offender for life and imposed an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim from any further contact or harassment.

This case highlights the severity of violent sexual offenses and the importance of swift law enforcement response to protect victims and ensure justice is served. The community of Edenfield remains shaken by the events, but the sentencing sends a clear message about the consequences of such heinous acts.