Man admits to attempted arson

SALEM – A former East Boston restaurant owner who admitted he tried to blow up his estranged wife’s home on Lowell Street in Peabody by pouring gasoline into a dryer vent last year will spend five years in prison before being placed on probation for another five years.Angelo Ravesi, 57, who once ran an East Boston restaurant called Angelo’s Seafood, avoided a trial Tuesday by pleading guilty to attempted murder and attempted arson of a dwelling before Superior Court Judge Howard J. Whitehead.In handing down the punishment, Whitehead said he considered the “danger,” involved in the crime, while explaining if that explosion had taken place, his daughter and wife would not be here today.”It’s not only an offense against the family, it is also against the public, given the danger,” Whitehead said, as he imposed the five-year prison term and probation, noting the punishment was “appropriate.”Ravesi, a commercial fisherman, who had been living at 10 Commonwealth Ave., in Gloucester, went to the family home at 363 Lowell St., in Peabody on or about January 15, 2007 and placed three butane canisters down the vent leading to the gas dryer in the basement, in violation of a permanent restraining order his wife had obtained.Then when that did not seem to work, he returned again five weeks later on Feb. 23, this time pouring gasoline into an “Aquafina” water bottle and directly down the same vent leading to the gas dryer.Ravesi’s adult daughter, Angela, who lived with her mother in the home, smelled gasoline and called firefighters. When firefighters searched the home and opened the duct vents to the dryer, three butane canisters fell out along with gasoline inside the Aquafina water bottle.Although his daughter, wife and other family members were present for the hearing, Gubitose read impact statements from his daughter and estranged wife.The sentence was less than the seven- to 10-year term sought Gubitose who said Ravesi’s “actions were evil and intentional and not only reckless.””The danger he put not only his wife and daughter through that day, he also put the neighborhood in general in jeopardy,” Gubitose said.Gubitose acknowledged Ravesi’ long standing substance abuse problem as he asked for counseling and treatment be imposed as part of his probationary terms.Defense lawyer Maria C. Curtatone pleaded for leniency asking Whitehead to consider a three-year term and probation pointing out his age and the family support he still has.She reminded Whitehead that Ravesi had “admitted his responsibility,” as she asked for the lesser punishment.Under the terms of his probation, Ravesi was ordered not to abuse his wife, refrain from all alcohol and drugs consumption, consent to random screenings and receive substance abuse counseling and treatment as deemed necessary by his probation officer.Ravesi will receive 399 days towards his incarceration.