A man has been jailed for raping a child and filming her whilst doing so.
In November 2025, police received a report that Michele Scappattacci had sexually assaulted and incited a young girl to engage in sexual activity with him, over the course of around four years.
An investigation commenced, and officers found that Scappatacci had sexually assaulted his victim a number of times, and took pictures of her whilst doing so.
Police examined Scappatacci’s phone and found an app, disguised to look like a calculator, and protected with a pin, and 888 indecent images and videos, including images and videos of Scappatacci committing his crimes.
He was arrested and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charged with:
- three counts of raping a child
- two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- four counts of sexual assault on a child
- two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act
- three counts of making indecent photographs of a child
- three counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child
- possessing a prohibited image of a child
- possessing an extreme pornographic image
Scappatacci ,58, formerly of Lancaster Drive, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court. He appeared back in the dock earlier this month, where he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with a further eight years on extended license.
DC Marriam Fatima, of East Child Protection said: “I must begin with talking about the victim. Despite her young age, she has shown an incredible sense of strength in what must have been an incredibly distressing time. I don’t doubt that it is because she had the courage to tell someone what had happened to her, that Scappatacci has been brought to justice.
“Scappatacci’s behaviour was nothing short of disgustingly paedophilic. He sexually abused a young girl for his own sordid interests. I welcome the considerable sentence handed down to him.
“Nothing will change what Scappatacci did to his victim, nothing will allow her to reclaim those years of her life. I can only hope that she can begin to rebuild her young life knowing that he has been brought to justice.
“If you are reading this and are a victim of any sexual offence. Please know that we want to help you – we will listen to what you tell us, we will investigate appropriately, and we will do all we can to get you justice.”
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