Rome Judo Instructor Accused of Sexual Assault on 8-Year-Old Child

Rome Prosecutors Seek Trial for Judo Coach Accused of Assaulting Eight-Year-Old

Prosecutors in Rome have requested a trial for a 70-year-old judo instructor accused of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl during training sessions. Investigators are concurrently probing potential further incidents involving other children at the capital-area gym.

The suspect, a fifth-dan black belt with a clean prior record, taught at the facility when the alleged offenses took place in March 2025, according to court filings and reporting from Il Corriere della Sera. The suspect’s identity has not been publicly released beyond his professional credentials and age. He currently remains suspended from all coaching responsibilities while legal proceedings advance.

How the Investigation Widened From Initial Complaints

The judicial inquiry broadened after the first victim disclosed the abuse to her parents in the winter following the alleged events. She reported experiencing inappropriate sexual attention both before and after judo practices.

Initial reluctance from family members gave way to formal legal action after the child showed noticeable distress. This included crying while recounting the episodes alongside a simultaneous decline in school performance. Prompted by these disclosures, investigators later opened a second file concerning alleged harassment against a nine-year-old girl during a summer camp run by the same instructor.

Pending Charges and Unset Court Timeline

All accusations remain subject to ongoing judicial review and have not yet been tested at trial.

The suspect holds a high-ranking fifth-dan martial arts grade, a designation typically tied to advanced technical skill and theoretical knowledge of judo philosophy. As prosecutors compile findings from the parallel investigative threads, no trial date has been formally announced by the court.