MONSTER IN THE SPARE ROOM: IT WORKER JAILED FOR "DEPRAVED" ABUSE OF TWO DEFENCELESS CHILDREN
A twisted IT worker who preyed on two young children inside his own home has been caged after a court exposed a pattern of calculated, sickening abuse.Italian national Simone Lavagna, 42, was unanimously found guilty at Dunfermline Sheriff Court of sexually assaulting a boy and a girl— both under the age of 10—while they visited his Inverkeithing house.
Jurors heard how Lavagna took advantage of moments when he was alone with the children, turning what should have been a safe family environment into a place of exploitation.
The boy told the court he was abused and then manipulated into silence, being told to "keep it secret" in exchange for endless treats.
Evidence also revealed a so-called "blindfold game", while the young girl described being pinned down on a bed as he forced himself towards her on multiple occasions.
Sheriff Krista Johnston delivered a damning assessment, branding the offences "planned", "very serious" and "of the most depraved nature".
She made clear the abuse was not opportunistic, but deliberate-carried out against vulnerable children who trusted him.
Lavagna denied everything throughout the trial, yet failed to offer any credible explanation for the detailed and consistent accounts given by both victims.
His partner claimed he was "soft-hearted" and incapable of such acts—but the jury rejected that outright.
The court heard the children were left with significant psychological harm, forced to relive their trauma by giving evidence against him.
Lavagna was handed a four-year extended sentence, including 30 months in custody and 18 months on licence, and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
As he was led away in handcuffs, having brought a bag to court ready for prison, a supporter called out: "We'll get through this." —————————————————————————————————— A MAN sexually assaulted two young children when they visited his Inverkeithing home to play with his daughter.
Simone Lavagna preyed on the youngsters who were aged just seven and eight, committing vile acts.
The 42-year-old, now of Hesperus Crossway in Edinburgh, was convicted following a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
The jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts on the two charges he faced.
Between November 17, 2022 and November 15, 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 January 1 and December 31, 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 in court and sobbing from relatives of the victims after the verdict.
Lavagna showed little reaction and was allowed bail, leaving the court with a coat over his head.
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 the paedophile 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.
He worked from home and at times was alone with the kids during play days as his partner worked in Edinburgh for part of the week.
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 said Lavagna would not commit such acts, adding: “It’s not in his nature, he’s very soft-hearted and would do anything for anybody.” Following the verdict, Sheriff Krista Johnston told Lavagna he had been convicted of “very grave charges”.
She called for reports and bail was continued until sentencing on May 1.
Lavagna has been put on the sex offenders register.
