Today's verdict doesn't erase the abuse, but it does restore some peace of mind to the victim: the 62-year-old, who abused her for years when she was little more than a child, was sentenced to ten years for sexual assault on a minor . Furthermore, Judge Cristiana Argiolas, granting the request of prosecutor Silvia Mascia, ordered an immediate provisional payment of €10,000 to the young woman, a civil plaintiff with lawyers Valerio Martis and Ezio Ullasci. The lawyers announced they will move forward seeking appropriate compensation for the damages they believe to be incalculable.
For its part, the defense, led by lawyers Gianfranco Siuni and Claudia Piroddu, is ready to appeal the case to reduce a sentence deemed "disproportionate compared to other sentences handed down by the Oristano Court for similar offences." A friend of the 62-year-old man, who allegedly abused the little girl, has also been sent to trial (the trial will begin on October 6th); the victim's mother (represented by lawyer Romina Marongiu) has instead pleaded guilty to a one-year sentence for slander .
This concludes the first judicial chapter in a case of degradation that had caused quite a stir because the victim, after years of abuse, had found the strength to report it, thanks also to the help of her friends. In November 2020, she entered a pharmacy in Piazza Roma and asked for a "1522 mask" (the anti-violence number) . The pharmacist had sensed everything and alerted the police. An immediate investigation was launched, culminating in her arrest.
Then came the summary trial; in the previous hearing, prosecutor Silvia Mascia reconstructed the story, which began when the little girl was just 11 years old and a generous and almost wealthy neighbor (compared to the very poor standard of living she was accustomed to with her mother) began to pay attention to her. He welcomed her into the house where he lived with his wife, gave her gifts, and made sure she had food. In return, however, came the same advances and abuse . A situation that continued for years amidst the fear and shame of a young girl who, thanks to her friends, found the strength to report the abuse. She endured the abuse in silence "because I was afraid I would no longer be able to eat meat, watch TV, or have my phone credit," the girl had said in court . Eventually, she found the strength to report the abuse, and the matter ended up in court.