Italian judge downgrades charges for migrant who impregnated 10-year-old girl after he claimed they were in a 'relationship'

After being taken to hospital, tests revealed that she was actually pregnant and therefore underwent an abortion.

The defendant told police that he was in a "relationship" with the victim, and his legal team insisted there was "no violence".

Following this, the judge reclassified his charges from "aggravated sexual assault against a minor" to "sexual acts with a child", according to Corriere della Sera.

The migrant was handed just a five-year sentence.

Additionally, local media reported that sentencing had followed a fast-tracked trial, meaning the total sentence had been reduced by a third.

Throughout the trial, the defendant never denied that it had been him who carried out the act, before DNA ultimately confirmed it was him.

Lega MP Simona Bordonali said she was left "stunned" by the incident and demanded a change to the law.

"The mere five-year sentence handed down to a person responsible for the atrocious and unspeakable violence against a child leaves me stunned," she said.

"It's our duty to question the proportionality of sentences, the effective protection of minors, and the message that sentences like this risk sending.

"Justice must be commensurate with the suffering inflicted on the most defenceless victims."

Lega leader Matteo Salvini called the decision "appalling" and "unacceptable".

The 29-year-old man denied assault, though claimed he had regretted what he had done, saying he understood the "gravity" of his actions.

An official reason for the change in charges must be filed within 90 days.

The migrant was housed along with 20 asylum seekers in the Hotel Il Cacciatore.

The girl's mother, who resided next door to the defendant, first reported the issue after her daughter showed "strange" changes in her behaviour, appearing cold and detached.

After questioning her, the girl then said she had been sexually assaulted.

According to the Daily Mail, he gained the mother's trust as her neighbour and was even left alone with her daughter.

The mother and daughter were said to have been taken to a "protected" location elsewhere in Lombardy.

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