Former ADFA cadet Harlan Agresti jailed for rape of intoxicated female colleague.

By Tom Lowrey.

A former Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) cadet convicted of raping a fellow cadet has been sentenced to at least 10 months in jail.

Harlan Agresti, 21, was arrested in August 2014 and charged with the rape of a fellow cadet in her ADFA accommodation in June 2013.

It was alleged he walked the heavily intoxicated woman home and assaulted her in her room as she passed in and out of consciousness.

Before leaving the room, it was alleged he told the victim the incident was “our little secret”.

Agresti pleaded not guilty, claiming the victim had given her consent and initiated the sex.

But he was convicted by a jury in the ACT Supreme Court last September.

In sentencing today, Agresti’s lawyer Greg Walsh asked the court for “mercy”, given his client’s age and prospects of rehabilitation.

Mr Walsh said Agresti was a former school captain who had done charity work overseas, and “still has potential in life”.

He said while not blaming ADFA for the assault, the culture of drinking at ADFA at the time of the offence was a “background feature” in the case.

A psychiatrist and social worker also gave evidence, detailing Agresti’s struggles with depression and agoraphobia since the incident.

In sentencing, Chief Justice Helen Murrell said Agresti took advantage of the victim in a vulnerable state.

“The victim trusted him to assist her home in a vulnerable condition,” she said.

She said the offence appeared out of character, but reflected his level of intoxication, immaturity and an inappropriate attitude to women.

Agresti was sentenced to two years and four months imprisonment, with 10 months to be served full-time and the remainder suspended.

Members of Agresti’s family present in court were visibly emotional as the sentence was handed down.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.

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