DINATO RIZZI AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LEICESTER AND NOTTINGHAM
A 66-year-old man from Leicester, known locally as Dean or Deano, has been convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving a young girl he lured online.Dinato Rizzi, who resided in the Netherhall area of Leicester, committed these offenses after establishing contact with the minor through internet communications, fully aware that she was only 12 years old.
The investigation revealed that Rizzi had planned how he would possibly evade justice, including strategies to cover his tracks should he be caught.
The case came to light when the victim’s mother became suspicious after her daughter disclosed her online interactions with a man.
In January, the mother contacted Leicestershire Police, revealing that her 12-year-old daughter had admitted to meeting a man in person and visiting his home on New Romney Crescent.
She furnished the authorities with screenshots of messages exchanged between her daughter and Rizzi, which provided crucial evidence.
The young girl further disclosed that she had met with Rizzi on several occasions over the course of a few weeks, and that sexual activities occurred at his residence.
Following these disclosures, detectives from the force’s child sexual exploitation unit launched a thorough investigation.
As a result, Rizzi was apprehended and charged with a series of criminal offenses against the girl.
His trial was held at Nottingham Crown Court, where he was found guilty of 13 separate charges relating to his exploitation of the child.
On Friday, October 21, Rizzi was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.
Detective Constable Sue Cockerill, who led the investigation, commented on her findings by highlighting the disturbing communications exchanged between Rizzi and the victim.
She explained that messages recovered from devices showed Rizzi explicitly acknowledging that the girl was under 16, even noting how he would attempt to conceal his actions if he were to be caught.
Cockerill emphasized that Rizzi, whose local acquaintances often refer to him as Dean or Deano, deliberately ignored the girl’s admission of her age, opting instead to exploit her vulnerabilities for his own perverted gratification.
This case continues to be an active investigation, with authorities suspecting that Rizzi may have engaged with other underage individuals.
Devices recovered from his home are under examination, and investigators are urging anyone who might have been victimized by him or who has additional information to come forward.
Detectives are employing specially trained officers to handle sensitive conversations with potential victims, ensuring that their inquiries are conducted with care.
The impact on the victim’s family has been profound.
Her mother issued a statement describing how these traumatic events have affected her daughter’s life permanently.
She expressed sadness that her daughter, once hopeful about her future, now struggles with social interactions, has seen her academic performance decline, and continues to sleep in her mother’s room at night.
The mother stressed how deeply the ordeal has damaged her daughter’s social development and mental well-being.
The sentencing follows a detailed trial where Rizzi was convicted of numerous severe crimes committed between December 2021 and January 27, 2022.
His convictions include two counts under the Child Abduction Act for removing the girl from her lawful guardian's control, multiple charges related to indecent images of children, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and a series of rapes of a minor under 13.
Detective Inspector Gary Bee, who spearheads the local exploitation team for Leicestershire Police, underscored the dangers posed by the internet and social media platforms.
He warned that individuals like Rizzi utilize sophisticated methods to target vulnerable children and emphasized the importance of parental vigilance and safeguards at home.
In his statement, he urged any other potential victims or persons with information about Rizzi's activities to reach out to law enforcement.
He assured the public that all reports would be handled with confidentiality and sensitivity by specially trained officers.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks associated with online interactions, especially for young and impressionable children, and highlights the importance of community awareness and protective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
