Prison sentence of convicted paedophile is overturned because the victim said they were 'in love'

[Lilka]

An Italian court has annulled the 5 year prison sentence of a convicted 60 year old paedophile because his 11 year old victim told prosecutors that they were 'in love'. Therefore the court determined that it was a "real" and "romantic relationship" and therefore the sentence was too harsh.

Link to Independent article - here

Regardless of the fact that his actions broke the law. Since it's not legal for a 60 year old to "have sex" with (ie. rape, obviously) an 11 year old

FFS

What a great day to be a paedophile in Italy. All you have to do is to manipulate your victim into telling Police that they were "consenting" and "in love" and voila, the age of consent does not matter anymore and you don't deserve to be punished. Fucking hateful victim blaming system

Also, AIBU to think that 5 years was not long enough in the first place?

YANBU

fucking hell

YANBU

Getting an 11 year old to think that he loved her was part of the abuse, not a mitigating circumstances, FFS.

Yanbu. I was appalled when I read this article earlier on today.

Oh good God. That is heinous.

YANBU

That is appalling.

Oh my God.

That is worse than disgusting when the law protects these monsters.

The judge should be locked in a room with 1/2 dozen Mums whose kids have been molested for an hour. The criminal should then be made to shut up and shovel before taking his own turn in said room.

The poor victim needs access to appropriate professional therapy as soon as possible poor love.

Even if the victim believes what she says an 11 is not old enough to make that judgement.

Though I see Italian law is bit different.

The age of consent in Italy is 14 years, with a close-in-age exception that allows those aged 13 to engage in sexual activity with partners who are less than 3 years older

So under their law 11 is not a lot under the age of consent.
Also I see this which seems to imply they need someone to press charges if older than 10.

If the minor involved is under the age of 10, the crime can be punished even without a complaint