The Investigation and Arrest
According to reports from La Stampa, a 20-year-old man is currently held in the Lorusso and Cutugno prisons after being charged with aggravated sexual violence against a 12-year-old child.
The incident reportedly took place on September 18 in the northern outskirts of Turin (a major industrial and cultural hub in Northern Italy), specifically in a secluded area of the Parco dell'Arrivore, located near the Stura River.
The legal process is being led by the Public Prosecutor's Office, under the coordination of Giovanni Bombardieri and prosecutor Eleonora Guerra. The investigation revealed a disturbing sequence of events where the aggressor allegedly used an electric scooter to transport the victim from the yard of his home to the crime scene after manipulating the minor.
Modus Operandi
The suspect, who reportedly has a criminal record for property crimes, convinced the child to go for a ride on a new electric scooter. Following the assault, the man allegedly tried to silence the victim by taking him to a mini-market on Strada Settimo, where he bought him food and energy drinks, explicitly warning him not to tell his parents what had happened.
Crucial Evidence
The arrest was carried out by the Squadra Mobile (Italy's mobile crime unit) and the Barriera Nizza police station. The suspect was identified thanks to an extensive analysis of security cameras in the via Botticelli area, which recorded the scooter's path and the clothing worn by both: a red t-shirt and shorts for the victim, and a black hooded sweatshirt for the aggressor.
Confession and Legal Outlook
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. However, he attempted to mitigate his responsibility by claiming he was under the influence of drugs and that "he wasn't himself" at the time of the events.
What happens next?
Given the severity of the crime and the defendant's prior history, the prosecution is expected to request preventive detention. While the defense may argue for reduced culpability due to substance use, this will likely be countered by the evidence of premeditation seen in the victim's transport and the subsequent attempt to bribe him into silence. The final sentence will be determined by the Italian Penal Code for sexual offenses against minors.
Source: La Stampa