A Taunton man has been sentenced to state prison after previously being convicted of rape and intimidating a witness.
Dino Balanca, 50, was sentenced to 6-10 years with a 3-year probation sentence after serving his time in prison.
The incident occurred on February 6, 2018, the victim, a 27-year-old coworker of Balanca, closed out of her shift at the Sandbar Grill in Taunton. Balanca had also worked evenings and offered the victim a ride home. Balanca had told her that he would take her home after he went to Bobby’s Pub for a drink.
At the Pub, the victim had ordered one drink and at some point went to the restroom. Upon returning, Balanca offered her a second drink, which was poured when the victim did not order nor was present when it was poured. After consuming some of the drink, she went outside to smoke a cigarette. The last memory she had was where she was.
Around 2 AM on February 9, the victim’s boyfriend received frantic phone calls from her saying she was outside and did not know where she was. Her boyfriend drove to the pub and found the victim after an hour and 45 minutes of searching.
The victim had noticeable injuries, including a gash above her right eye, and injuries to her leg and foot. She was also disoriented and not responsive to her boyfriend’s questions. She also did not have any of her belongings.
The next morning, through texts, Balanca confirmed that her things were in his car. The victim and her boyfriend went to retrieve a purse and Balanca stated that he didn’t know what happened to her and that she left the pub on her own.
Due to the victim’s concern, she went to the hospital to be treated for her physical injuries and also had a sexual assault kit performed. The kit revealed that sperm cells were found on an internal swab and were later determined to be that of Balanca’s. In a later trial, during the victim’s testimony, she indicated that she had a boyfriend at the time and would have never consented to sex with Balanca.
Blanca provided different versions of events to the police. He stated the victim left on her own when he went to the restroom at Bobby’s Pub, and that a bartender found the victim’s purse and gave it to him.
Surveillance footage from the bar proved otherwise when it showed Balanca and the victim walking towards his car at 1 AM on February 9. The footage also showed that the victim had her purse with her.
Balanca also told police that the two did drive away together, but did not remember where he dropped her off. He then said that he dropped her off at home. He then said during his testimony that the two left together and then had consensual sex.
“I am pleased that the jury held the defendant accountable for taking advantage of the victim whom he knew. The defendant purchased a drink for the victim when she was not present and after consuming some of the drink, she became extremely impaired. The DNA evidence was critical in the case as the defendant lied to the police during the investigation. I hope the conviction will give the victim closure and allow her to move forward with her life. I commend her perseverance from the time of the assault to the end of the court process,” District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn said.
The jury convicted Balanca of rape and lying to the police during their investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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