A prosecutor in Italy has asked a court to impose a 2½ year custodial sentence on former professional cyclist Mario Cipollini in a case centred on alleged domestic violence.
The former top sprinter has faced very serious allegations from his ex-wife while it is also alleged he was violent or threatening towards members of her family.
The verdict in the case and the details of any sentence - if Cipollini is found guilty - will not be known until next month as the Italian court hearing the case was not due to deliver its ruling until July 13th.
Cipollini, who insists he is innocent, also faces a possible financial sanction if found guilty as his ex-wife’s lawyer has asked for compensation of €80,000.
Prosecutor Letizia Cai told the court in Lucca yesterday: "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.
