Mario Cipollini, the former world road race champion, has been given a three-year sentence after being convicted in an Italian court for attacking his ex-wife and also victimising her new partner.
Cipollini was sentenced today in Lucca after a previous sentencing hearing in July was postponed because he was unwell and unable to attend the court. He must also pay legal fees and compensation.
"I'm happy, justice has been done, they were difficult moments but now I can see some light," said Sabrina Landucci, Cipollini's ex wife, who is a sister of Marco Landucci, former Inter and Fiorentina goalkeeper.
The three-year jail term imposed today was suspended, meaning he will not go to the prison unless his behaviour causes the sentence to be activated during the three-year period. He was also ordered to pay legal costs today and to pay his ex-wife compensation of €80,000.
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Prosecutor Letizia Cai told the court in Lucca June: “Mario Cipollini is guilty of mistreatment in the family, stalking his ex-wife and threats to the ex-wife’s partner.”
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The prosecutor has alleged Cipollini perpetrated “a series of acts damaging the physical and mental integrity” of ex-wife Sabrina Landucci “with punches, slaps, kicks, with injuries and death threats”.
Ms Landucci alleged of an incident on January 6th, 2017: “I was working like every day in the sports centre when Mario attacked me in front of colleagues and clients. He grabbed my neck and then slammed my head against the wall . I had injuries, pain I had to go to the emergency room. But more than the wounds it was that violent gesture that hurt me. I am still upset today.”
It was also alleged that Cipollini told his ex-wife: “I’ll break everything, I’ll kill you, you’ll hear the sound of bones when they break.” Cipollini’s former mother in law, Giovanna Di Simo, has alleged the former pro cyclist “kept a gun under his pillow”.
She has claimed: “I saw him with my own eyes grabbing Sabrina by the neck at the bottom of the stairs of my house and then chasing her in the garden, wearing a brace on his knee after a skiing accident, armed with a revolver.”
Cipollini and his ex wife got married in 1993 and separated in 2006 and her new partner and her brother have also filed complaints against Cipollini.
