“MOST DEPRAVED”: PREDATOR FINALLY BEHIND BARS
A 42-year-old man, who sexually assaulted two young children when they visited his Inverkeithing home, has been jailed.
Simone Lavagna preyed on the youngsters, who were aged just seven and eight years and had gone there to play with his daughter.
His behaviour was described as “depraved” by a sheriff imposing a 30-month prison term and putting him on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
The paedophile’s behaviour has had a significant psychological impact on the youngsters.
Police also had concerns about his behaviour in public parks, the court heard.
Lavagna, recently of Hesperus Crossway, Edinburgh, was convicted
following a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. The jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts on the two charges he faced.
Between 17th November 2022 and 15th November 2023 at an address in Inverkeithing he sexually assaulted a boy then aged seven years, by committing a sex act on him.
Also, on various occasions between 1st January and 31st December 2023, he sexually assaulted a girl then aged eight, by pinning her to a bed and thrusting his body towards her.
There were emotional scenes and sobbing from relatives of the victims after the verdict.
The boy said that after being sexually assaulted, Lavagna told him to “keep it secret” and he would give him treats forever.
The boy also spoke of a blindfold game and the girl said Lavagna would grab and wrestle her in his bedroom.
The children were regular visitors to Lavagna’s home going there to play with his young daughter.
Lavagna worked from home and at times was alone with the kids during play days as his partner worked in Edinburgh for some of the week.
Lavagna moved to Edinburgh living with his partner and their six-year-old daughter.
In his evidence, Lavagna denied all the claims made by the two children but could offer no explanation as to why they would make up such allegations.
He said that after the claims came to light their windows were smashed and they had to move out of the area “for safety”.
His partner, 47-year-old Jennifer Booth said in her evidence that Lavagna would not commit such acts, adding, “It’s not in his nature, he’s very soft-hearted and would do anything for anybody”.
The court heard that police had further concerns about Lavagna’s behaviour at play parks and this was flagged up in the social work report.
Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said his client had suffered “adverse childhood experiences” but had gone on to be “quite successful in his employment”.
Sheriff Krista Johnston told Lavagna his offending had been “of the most depraved and serious nature”.
She added that from the victim statements it was clear that the conduct had left the youngsters “severely psychologically impacted by what had happened to them”.
The sheriff imposed an extended sentence of four years with a custodial term of 30 months.
As the paedophile was led away, his partner, seated in the public gallery, shouted, “Love you. You’ll get through it.”
Extended sentences are imposed in cases where the court has found that the offender is dangerous and an extended licence period is required to protect the public.
Following release from prison, the offender is subject to licence conditions where they remain under supervision until the expiry of the extended period.
