Woman convicted of sexual assault after posing as man to deceive partners

A 44-year-old woman, Blade Silvano, has been found guilty of six counts of sexual assault by penetration following a trial at Caernarfon crown court. While many people search for information regarding a woman jailed for fraud, this case involves a complex pattern of deception where the defendant used a false persona to engage in sexual relations with unsuspecting victims.

Silvano, who is already serving a prison sentence for similar offenses committed in Cambridgeshire between 2016 and 2017, was convicted on Tuesday for crimes occurring between November 2022 and June 2023. In the latest case, Silvano utilized the alias “Hunter” on the Plenty of Fish dating website. She claimed to be an army captain and surgeon, maintaining the ruse by keeping lights low during physical encounters and refusing to allow intimate touch by claiming to have sustained military injuries.

Blade Silvano was found guilty of six counts of sexual assault after deceiving women through fake male personas.

During the trial, the victim testified that she believed she was in a relationship with a heterosexual man and would not have pursued the connection otherwise. The deception was eventually uncovered when the victim was contacted by Silvano’s long-term female partner, who revealed the defendant’s true identity. The victim described feeling sick upon learning the truth, having previously been told by Silvano—who claimed to be a doctor—that there was no risk of pregnancy after a condom allegedly broke.

In the earlier Cambridgeshire case, Silvano used the name Blade Mendez to maintain a two-year relationship, which even reached the stage of wedding preparations. She went to lengths such as sending photos of herself shaving and pretending to urinate while standing. That deception only ended when the victim discovered Silvano’s true living situation on social media. Prosecutor Philip Clemo described Silvano as a gifted con artist who consistently manipulated her victims into abusive partnerships under false pretenses.

Why it matters

This case highlights the severe impact of sexual deception and the abuse of trust within online dating environments. The court has ordered a pre-sentence report to assess the risk Silvano poses to the public before her sentencing next month.

Support for those affected by sexual abuse is available globally. In the UK, assistance can be reached via Rape Crisis, while in the US, victims can contact Rainn. In Australia, 1800Respect provides dedicated support services. International helplines are available for those seeking guidance in other regions.