Reality Star Faces Serious Sex Crime Allegations
A contestant from the Australian version of FBoy Island is confronting multiple serious sex crime charges, including three counts of rape, while already subject to a good behaviour bond for previous harassment offences. Riccardo Valenza, a 31-year-old veterinarian from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, finds himself at the centre of a growing legal storm that began during his appearance on the popular dating show.
Mounting Legal Troubles
Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that Valenza was charged in September with three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse. Additional charges include using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and contravening an order about information necessary to access electronic data - typically relating to failing to provide passwords to police investigating digital devices.
These serious allegations represent a significant escalation in Valenza's legal difficulties. The court first mentioned the new charges at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 19, with matters adjourned for two months. Valenza remains on bail, though the court could not provide specific details about the accusations due to the sensitive nature of the alleged offences.
Pattern of Harassing Behaviour
Valenza's current predicament follows established patterns of concerning behaviour. In February, he received a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. Shockingly, some of this offending occurred while he was actively participating in the first season of FBoy Island, which aired from May 30 to June 26, 2023.
Court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Valenza's previous harassment of women. Townsville Magistrates Court heard in February how Valenza had met one woman on social media in June 2022, offering her money for more frequent communication and sexual content. When she blocked him, Valenza persisted, calling her 51 times from private numbers - including 11 calls in less than two hours on one occasion.
In a separate Brisbane Magistrates Court case last December, Valenza pleaded guilty to contacting another woman 15 times within two minutes. He was ordered to pay $1,000 compensation and received a two-year good behaviour bond, though no conviction was recorded at that time.
FBoy Island Context and Consequences
Valenza appeared in the inaugural Australian season of FBoy Island, hosted by influencer Abbie Chatfield. The Foxtel Binge production featured three women searching for love among 24 men, half of whom were secretly 'nice guys' seeking relationships while the other half were 'FBoys' competing primarily for prize money.
Despite his television exposure, Valenza failed to progress to the final stages of the competition. His legal troubles have since had professional consequences - his defence lawyer Chris Lumme revealed in February that Valenza lost his veterinary job after his practice received 'intimidating' calls following social media exposure of his conduct.
Magistrate Viviana Keegan previously described Valenza's pattern of behaviour as 'persistent and harassing' while imposing another two-year good behaviour bond and $1,000 compensation order in February. She warned Valenza that any repeat offences would 'most definitely' result in recorded convictions.
The latest charges are scheduled for mention at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 19, marking the next chapter in a legal saga that continues to unfold.
